Touring - Surly LHT Durability

Folks,

I'm interested in buying a Long Haul Trucker and riding it across the country, maybe more than once. My LBS owner, who I respect greatly, is leading me to a Waterford Adventure Touring bike (at 3.5 times the price), promising 'You get what you pay for'. I believe the LHT to be a sturdy beast, worthy of consideration for the long haul...

I'd like to hear from those of you who have put some miles on your LHTs. How far have you traveled? How well has your LHT served you? What kind of problems have you had with the frame or fork? Which component has served you best, or least? What could you not travel without? What is the total weight of rider & gear your LHT has carried? ETC.
Thanks for your considered response.

Chuck

I think the LHT might be a few grams heavier, and not have as much snob-appeal as the Waterford, but other than that I think your LBS owner is full of ****. You actually do get what you pay for, but either one will get you across the country, to be sure...

Although no one owns a ten year old LHT yet, I'm with Kris, don't listen to those gougers.

I've put at least a couple of thousand miles of dedicated, loaded, touring on mine so far, including heinous thousands of feet of treacherous forest road descents on dirt, gravel, golfball to grapefruit sized rocks, and cordurory.

I try to fit some dirt roads or trail into almost every tour.

The Long Haul Trucker is an absolute monster.

This past winter I knew I wanted to build up a touring/commuting bike. My decision came down to either a LHT or a Rivendell Atlantis. Since my Lotto numbers never hit, money was a big consideration. I figured I could build up a complete LHT with top notch parts for the same price as what the Atlantis frame alone cost. I went with the LHT and it turned out great.

I will admit; I still want that Atlantis; but I know that I made the right decision on buying the LHT.

I'd like to hear from those of you who have put some miles on your LHTs. How far have you traveled? How well has your LHT served you? What kind of problems have you had with the frame or fork? Which component has served you best, or least? What could you not travel without? What is the total weight of rider & gear your LHT has carried? ETC.
Thanks for your considered response.

Chuck[/QUOTE]


Mines brand new--only had it a month, but I wish I would have gotten one last year. Its very stable and predictable up and down hills. Cant really comment on longevity, but the components are LX F/R ders and brooks seat, 287V brake levers and canti brakes. Simple stuff thats easy to set up or work on. The frame has lots of cage mounts and braze ons. For the price you cant beat it. You could get a LHT frame and outfit it with the best and probably still have change left over compaired to your LBS's choice.

This kind of thing burns my butt. I don't own a Surly LHT and I haven't toured yet. However, I agree with the general consensus about LHT's. They're more than capable of doing anything you want them to do. Someone posted a thread awhile back asking if there was twice the difference between bikes costing $1000 and $2000 - or something to that affect. No, there isn't, for all practical purposes - except in status appeal. Things like refinements (read: $$$) don't compare to everyday toughness and ease of service. Two good wheels, a well designed frame and proven componentry is all you need. The Surly has all that.

I pilot a Trek 520. Get the Surly if you like it. I think they are terrific bicycles.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I believe Waterfords are all custom built frames. That explains why they cost 3.5 times as much.

IMO, the Surly LHT will do fine.

Unless, of course, you are difficult to fit on a bicycle frame due to short stature or being very tall. Or if your legs to torso is very disproportional where a custom would suit better. (And fit is very important when touring.)

Other than that, if this is your first touring machine the LHT is the best quailty for price ratio.

Folks,

I'm interested in buying a Long Haul Trucker and riding it across the country, maybe more than once. My LBS owner, who I respect greatly, is leading me to a Waterford Adventure Touring bike (at 3.5 times the price), promising 'You get what you pay for'. I believe the LHT to be a sturdy beast, worthy of consideration for the long haul...

I'd like to hear from those of you who have put some miles on your LHTs. How far have you traveled? How well has your LHT served you? What kind of problems have you had with the frame or fork? Which component has served you best, or least? What could you not travel without? What is the total weight of rider & gear your LHT has carried? ETC.
Thanks for your considered response.

Chuck

The Waterford gets you lugs, custom geometry, custom paint, and your selection of braze-ons. If those things are important to you (and they may be), then the Waterford may be the way to go. If not, I doubt the LHT would be any less road worthy.