Touring - Surly to create a touring frame?

Surly has had their website redone. Under "New," they are introducing another frameset called the "Long Haul Trucker." It doesn't look like it is available for sale yet.

Surly Long Haul Trucker (http://www.surlybikes.com/hotmetal/new_longhaul.html)

Looks like a "real" touring frame. I'm glad to see signs of the re-emergence of touring bikes.

I would be interested to find out the price - if I ever get my hands on some money for cycling gear. [8^)

Well, the going price for all their other framesets are $400 or less. I am hoping this is the same price.

I just bought a touring bike, but I may have to strip it and put the parts on the Surly LHT. My wife will probably be a little upset, but she'll get over it once she sees how happy I am :)

Wow, impressive. Thanks for the link, sure looks interesting. Next thing, they'll make a single speed LHT.. :)

Jay

I like the proportional wheels sizing, with small frames using 26" MTB size wheels. It all seems so very sensible.

26" wheels.. that's me. I keep looking at touring bikes, but I'd like 26" wheels not just for the small frame I would need for my 5'5" body, I also prefer the flat handlebars for loaded touring for the easier steering and leverage. I'd also like the lower MTB gearing... After awhile, I just keep going back to my Steel MTB hardtail which is what I use. I haven't yet been convinced to get a touring frame with MTB handlebars, MTB gearing, and MTB wheels.... Maybe someday :)

Jay

Hi,
Gunnar makes a couple genuinely terrific frames for $600. One is a light touring model, the Sport. The other is a off road touring number. I like Surly, got their fork on my bike. But a couple hundred bucks extra throws you from good to great.

That's good they're coming out with a new touring frame. I've been considering their Karate Monkey frame possibly for light touring use. I like the idea of 26" wheels for smallish frames. As a matter of fact, I'm in the middle of building a tourer around 26" wheels.

George

I'm not all that familiar with Surly but I sure like the looks of this frame.

The other posters pointed out some important features, and to that I would add: the extended head tube.
Maybe now there will be less need to cut the steerer extra long to get the handlebar at a sensible height.

Surly blog entry on the LHT.

http://www.surlybikes.com/surlyblog.html

It looks very close to being the perfect frame. But I'm wondering if -- even though I don't think I care about disc brakes right at the moment -- I'd buy a frame without tabs. I might change my mind someday.

I wonder if that fork is going to be available separately, the way the Crosscheck fork is, and how much it weighs. It looks like the ideal touring fork.

RichC

Hi,
Gunnar makes a couple genuinely terrific frames for $600. One is a light touring model, the Sport. The other is a off road touring number. I like Surly, got their fork on my bike. But a couple hundred bucks extra throws you from good to great.

I'll second Late's recommendation. I have some time on Surly frames and a friend who is currently commuting on one. They are OK but not nearly the value of the Gunnar frames. Gunnar frames are constructed better, have better tubesets, paint with inovative & well thought out designs/geometry/clearances. Gunnars are as close as you can get to a custom bike without getting one. A great value for a Made in the USA bike.

I have a Gunnar Tire biter and every time I ride it I'm impressed by it. I'm very tempted pick up their latest touring model.

Also check out Thorn frames. Good value I'm told by the touring cyclists I know that have them.

If you want the ultimate frame go custom. Tom Teesdale (TET) built me a road bike in 2002. VERY sweet and absolutely spot on. The bike fits me like no other. He customized the tubeset for optimal stiffness and handling. He even matched the color perfectly from a photo I sent him.

Hi,
Gunnar makes a couple genuinely terrific frames for $600. One is a light touring model, the Sport. The other is a off road touring number. I like Surly, got their fork on my bike. But a couple hundred bucks extra throws you from good to great.

Does that price include the fork?

Hi,
the price went up for 04. If you can find a leftover, it would be a little cheaper than this.
"Geometry:
Looking for something a little less aggresive than the Roadie? Our new Sport frameset can soak up the road miles like no other. Designed for a more upright road position, with an emphasis on comfort. Ideal for light touring, centuries and day rides. The sport accommodates fenders and longer 57mm reach side pull brakes.
Tubing:
Waterford exclusive butted tube sets, featuring True Temper OX Platinum and Reynolds 853 air-hardening steel alloys, custom drawn to our rigorous specs. New asymmetrical D section chainstays provide rigidity along with generous chainring and tire clearance. Tubeset specifications vary by frame size to offer riders of all sizes the strength and stiffness they need.
Braze-Ons:
D/T shift studs, 2 sets of water bottle bosses, top tube brake cable stops, rear rack mounts. Pump peg on sizes 480, 540, 560, 580, 600, and 620mm.
Dropouts:
Exclusive Waterford investment cast vertical dropouts. One eyelet. Forks:
Custom Gunnar steel fork, 1" Threadless Steerer, Reynolds 531 blades, and 57mm brake clearance.
Colors:
PPG catalyzed urethane finishes offered in Red, Black, Blue Metallic, Yellow and now Sterling Silver - with clearcoat over decal. Powder coat Black and Electric Box Gray are available at no extra charge (topmount decals). Color of the month also available. It's $125 for a full Waterford finish level including clear coat, your choice from hundreds of colors and available special effects.
Pricing:
$675 retail for frame only. $875 with Gunnar Sport fork. "

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/data/mainframe.htm

I have ridden it, and it is seriously good.

I would imagine that the Gunnar Sport framset would be more equivalent to the Surly Pacer, a sport-touring setup. The Surly LHT is going after a fully loaded touring setup.

From what I see though, Gunnar looks like a good deal.

Definitely,
it's a sport/tourer. When I was shopping for my bike last year, I test rode
a couple touring bikes. The heavy duty touring bikes were dog slow. Price didn't matter much, the Waterford I tried was slower than the trek 520. It was also ten times tougher, but that's a different issue (unless you're crossing continents, then it is THE issue). I figure you buy ultralite gear, use a trailer, anything but that. YMWDV (your mileage will definitely vary)

Looks like BF members know how to pick a winner

When I saw the title, I wondered why someone was just discovering the LHT, and talking like it was in the future...

Nice bump!

That is a nice bump. The LHT is on my short list for my next big purchase.

A LHT is my next commuting bike! I am just waiting for the 62cm frames to be in stock. I already have all my compenents ready for the build. I can't wait, I think it is going to be fantastic.

Just got back from a short "tour" on my new '06 Utility Blue LHT and all I can say about the bike is WOW! Talk about stability and good handling? Can you say LHT? Yes, this forum is a very valuable tool to use when looking at a new bike.

Thanks to all who have posted in the past on the SURLY!

Rick

Just got back from a short "tour" on my new '06 Utility Blue LHT
Photos of your new rig?

Here are a couple that I shot of it.
Spec's
06 Surly 54cm Utlilty Blue
Cane Creek S8 Headset
Vison Stem
Salsa Bell Lap Bars
Shimano Dura-Ace 9/8spd barcons
Shimano 600 Levers
Nasbar seatpost
Brooks B17N saddle
Tektro Oryx fr/rr cantilevers
Custom 13-32 cassette (8-spd)
Shimano XT triple F Der
Shimano XT R Der
Shimano 105 triple crankset 48/38/26
Shimano 6500 B Bkt
XT/Rhyno Lite wheelset
Schwalbe Marathon 26x2.0
Tubus Front & Rear Racks


Rick

Nice!

How do you like your brakes and bars? Those are the same brakes and bars that I am building my LHT with. I just ordered my frame tonight.

Congratulations on the birth of your new frame!!! :) I know you will have many happy memories together!
As far as the handlebars and brakes, The bars came off my trek and have countless miles on them, in other words, I love them! And as far as the brakes go, I have only put a hair over 100 miles on them and like them so far. Onre thing I liked about them and the reason I went with the Tektro's is the spring system in the brake is not a coil spring. I have had better luck out of the regular springs because they seem to be easier to keep in adjustment.
Look forward to pic's when you get your bike up and going!

Rick

doh! No more sage??? Yikes... :) Not sure if I like the blue or not. Trek went to the sage for the 520. The bike with a Honey brooks and the sage just looks retro. Wife refers to it as my grandpa bike.