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View Full Version : Surly LHT ?

LordOpie
10-08-2007, 09:42 PM
Anyone familiar with it?

Looks like something that might work for me. My one concern is that it's 26" wheels. I'm not sure I want that for a 'roadie'.

Thoughts?
loco-gringo
10-08-2007, 09:56 PM
You don't want that for a roadie. That is all.
LordOpie
10-08-2007, 10:05 PM
cuz of the frame or the 26" wheels or both?

a real shame as it looks like a really nice multi-purpose frame.
loco-gringo
10-08-2007, 10:42 PM
cuz of the frame or the 26" wheels or both?

a real shame as it looks like a really nice multi-purpose frame.

The wheels. I can't imagine that it would be any fun. That's just me though.
gonefirefightin
10-08-2007, 10:43 PM
get a pugsley, i cant stop playing with mine. it might be unhealthy
BikeMike
10-09-2007, 12:09 AM
I helped set up four friends for a 5 month South America tour on LHTs. They did a bunch of research and wanted bikes that would hold up when they were out in the middle of nowhere with hundreds of miles of road between them and the nearest bike shop. They were also slightly concerned that Paraguay only has around 50% of its roads paved.

If I remember right, the LHT switchs to 700c at the 56cm frame size. I thought it made a sweet touring bike for the price, but for a real road bike...I guess it depends on what your goals are. The 26" wheels make a good deal of sense for touring, especially on long tours in remote places, but they kind of limit your rim choices (26" rims tend to be wider, encouraging/forcing you to run wider tires...). You also need larger (and less common) gearing if you want to go the same speed with the same cadence w/ 26ers instead of 700s. Keeping up the top end speed isn't such a big deal touring, but it might or might not be depending on your road biking goals.
BrooklynMachine
10-09-2007, 01:44 AM
The Ditty Bops did a cross country tour on them (I think, definitely SURLys though). Seemed to hold up just fine.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/images/articles/772_image_1.jpg
(original pic switched for work safe version)
ire
10-09-2007, 07:26 AM
If I remember right, the LHT switchs to 700c at the 56cm frame size.

You sir, are correct
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 07:56 AM
If I remember right, the LHT switchs to 700c at the 56cm frame size.
...
The 26" wheels make a good deal of sense for touring, especially on long tours in remote places, but they kind of limit your rim choices (26" rims tend to be wider, encouraging/forcing you to run wider tires...).
Right.

I really like the frame, but I'm not sure I want 26" rims.

Is there a way to put a bigger wheel on or at least one that isn't as wide? Would a 650b work?
ire
10-09-2007, 08:43 AM
Right.

I really like the frame, but I'm not sure I want 26" rims.

Is there a way to put a bigger wheel on or at least one that isn't as wide? Would a 650b work?

What size are you looking to buy?
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 09:43 AM
What size are you looking to buy?

54cm

http://surlybikes.com/longhaul.html
MMcG
10-09-2007, 10:53 AM
I think you could run 650B wheels on a LHT

But then if you can - why not look into one of those Rawlands?
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 11:05 AM
...why not look into one of those Rawlands?
I absolutely am. They're hot.

But they're not available until early next year. Not even geo info on their site yet :(
ire
10-09-2007, 11:07 AM
just get one of these:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/

:biggrin: I remember you saying you wanted one....they are spendy (around $2k and 4 years wait). Order now and save till the frame is built!!
MMcG
10-09-2007, 11:27 AM
I absolutely am. They're hot.

But they're not available until early next year. Not even geo info on their site yet :(

contact them via email or the site.
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 11:29 AM
contact them via email or the site.

umm, why? To be put on the wait list? Or are they rumored to be getting them early?
MMcG
10-09-2007, 12:01 PM
to get the geometry numbers and also to get the best scoop possible of when they'll be available. Maybe youcould get in on a few early Interbike specific frames/bikes. Ya never know.
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 12:16 PM
ok, I emailed them :)
Mr. Hankey
10-09-2007, 12:23 PM
There is a 58 on egay, and it has miles of steerer left for you it seems.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Surly-Long-Haul-Trucker-58-cm-Touring-Bike_W0QQitemZ140166196205QQihZ004QQcategoryZ98084 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 12:54 PM
There is a 58 on egay, and it has miles of steerer left for you it seems.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Surly-Long-Haul-Trucker-58-cm-Touring-Bike_W0QQitemZ140166196205QQihZ004QQcategoryZ98084 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How long is the top-tube?
MMcG
10-09-2007, 01:06 PM
that one on ebay is nice.
BurlyShirley
10-09-2007, 01:37 PM
I want one of these bikes as well, only set up for touring/commuting with MTB gears, bigger tires, etc. In fact, I hate my regular road bike more and more and wish for a LHT.

I should also add that Ive owned two surly bikes in the past, an Instigator and a 1x1 and both were excellent bikes and I regret no longer owning thiem.
LordOpie
10-09-2007, 01:53 PM
I want one of these bikes as well, only set up for touring/commuting with MTB gears, bigger tires, etc. In fact, I hate my regular road bike more and more and wish for a LHT.
The complete LHT bike comes with mtb cassette, yeah? Plenty of room for any kind of fenders too.
BurlyShirley
10-09-2007, 01:59 PM
The complete LHT bike comes with mtb cassette, yeah? Plenty of room for any kind of fenders too.

Yeah, I like the complete except for a few details which would almost be worth just piecing one together mostly from parts I already have.
Id rather go with MTB rim brakes, downtube shifters, a decent set of cranks and headset etc. so I dont know how Id feel about buying a complete and making all those changes. Plus I have thomson stem/post etc. already, so not sure a complete is worth the money.

Honestly, I wish the 56 came with 26"wheels so Im in the opposite boat of you.