Originally Posted by Plosive
I need a new commuter that will normally have a rear rack and one pannier, but is capable of front panniers for touring/grocery getting (I eat a lot okay!!) I currently ride an older (down tube shifters) Specialized in great mechanical condition, but uncomfortably small and carry a backpack and drive to the grocery store. My thought was I swap my parts on the too-small Specialized to the Surly.
BUT
It doesn’t appear that I can put a front rack/pannier on the Cross Check and the Long Haul Trucker only runs 26” wheels on the 50cm frame?
If you are short enough to fit a 50 cm frame, you're better off with 559 mm (26 inch) wheels.
Originally Posted by Plosive
Maybe I should get the Cross Check and run a trailer to the grocery store? Maybe you have an idea that can help me out.
Trailers are a Good Thing for serious grocery shopping.
Originally Posted by Plosive
SURLY SAYS “
you CAN put a front rack on the Cross-check, it's just not
drilled with the mid-blade mounts that the LHT has, nor is the
Cross-check specifically built to handle the loads that the LHT can.
Still, you can put a front rack on there, just don't load it up with the
kitchen sink.”
Okay, but
Does anyone know if I can throw all the parts on my old specialized downshifter allez including drive train, brakes and wheels onto the Surly?
Which Surly?
Anyway, the answer is: no.
Neither of these frames will work with your brake calipers, they're made for cantilevers.
Your wheels would fit the Cross Check, but not the LHT.
Your (yuck!) down tube shifters would fit the LHT, but not the Cross Check. (Small loss anyway, controls belong on the handlebars.)
Your present seatpost, headset and handlebar stem won't fit either of them.
The LHT would definitely be better at load carrying, and would be my recommendation, but it does mean buying new wheels or at least new rims and spokes.
Everything else should fit OK.
Sheldon "http://harriscyclery.com/surly" Brown
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