LHT as cross bike?

[xxsoultonesxx]

After I get home from my summer tour, I'm gonna want a cross bike real bad. Has anyone set up a Surly LHT for cross racing? I am a little apprehensive, because I know it's a clunker ass frame, and most of these bikes are aluminum it seems a little overkill. I am just hoping that maybe with a decent cross fork, a decent double crank, and a few other mods that this thing could be competitive. Am I dreaming?

[celerystalksme]

well...it's a bit heavy...

also...it has less clearance because of lower bottom bracket. it might handle sluggishly because of longer chainstays and longer wheelbase.

it's worth a shot though! if you find you enjoy cx, then you can get a killer cx bike later on!

[seat_boy]

Neither the LHT or the CC is a lightweight. According to Surly's site, the LHT is only about 0.3 pounds heavier. Unless you're racing for your dinner money, maybe not a real difference.

Eric

[xxsoultonesxx]

Maybe with a carbon fork/seatpost/stem and some nice light wheels it could be fairly competitive?

[xccx]

i raced a steamroller for 2 yrs (not my primary bike). it was awesome. heavy, but awesome. besides the weight, the biggest drawback was the caliper brakes.

[KrisPistofferson]

I regularly take my LHT mountainbiking, by switching wheels and taking the fenders off, and I can honestly say I wouldn't worry about it breaking. If you start to get serious about cyclocross after awhile you can buy an out and out crossbike, until then you haven't spent much money.