Touring - Trek 720 vs. Surly LHT

I have been eyeing a Surly LHT with rack and fenders I'm looking around $1200 out the door. I have come across a Trek 720 in very good condition for about $700. I like the idea of a lugged frame, maybe I'm nostalgic, and I don't mind friction shifting. The trek has fenders, front and rear rack, some campy etc. With the savings of $500 I can upgrade a few things here and there but for the most part I think I'm good to go.
Has anybody ridden both. I've ridden the LHT not the Trek, but I imagine it rides like a classic Reynolds 531 of that era.
Any thoughts comments or advice is appreciated.
Thanks

OK,
Assuming it is the '85 trek, (red one with blue racks etc.) and you value the vintage/collector aspect of it, and plan to ride mostly on roads or hardpack, definitely get the Trek. Its a handmade, silver brazed, 531 frame with near ideal touring geometry. Its also a collectible piece of american bicycling history- these guys went on to make Waterford's for yaweh's sake!

Its a more beautiful, better quality bike for less money. Not to say that the LHT is anything to scoff at, it is not.... however, its not in the same league as the trek. I have an '85 620 which is almost the same, and is a wonderful, wonderful all-day-comfortable ride. The 720 has even slacker angles (by half a degree) a longer chainstay (by half a cm) and is made from nicer 531ST tubing, including the fork. Based on my 620, I can highly reccommend the 720 to you (if it fits)

However, if you just want a bike to get you around, that you can beat up a bit, go for the LHT. The original trek wheels (helicomatic/matrix) are crap though, so spend a bit of that 500 on a xt/mavic set from rocky mtn cycles on ebay (200 bucks or so) and you are good to go.

However, if you just want a bike to get you around, that you can beat up a bit, go for the LHT. The original trek wheels (helicomatic/matrix) are crap though, so spend a bit of that 500 on a xt/mavic set from rocky mtn cycles on ebay (200 bucks or so) and you are good to go.
+1
I would end up hanging that Trek 720 up along side the Bridgestone Grand Velo in my collection and never ride it for fear of damaging it!

+1
I would end up hanging that Trek 720 up along side the Bridgestone Grand Velo in my collection and never ride it for fear of damaging it!

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the advice, it reinforces my original contention to purchase the bike. However, I don't know if I can just hang the bike up and not ride it. Bikes are meant to be ridden and enjoyed. I will use it as a commuter to work and for touring but at work I can keep it out of the elements and not beat it up in the process. My 1980 Mercian looks nearly as good as the day I bought it. It does have some dirt as I do ride it.

Thanks for the feedback.

HAhaha, you had better hurry cause i'm thinking it is the same bike i was looking at ;)

HAhaha, you had better hurry cause i'm thinking it is the same bike i was looking at ;)

Cool, a race!

Please let us know who wins :)

Well, i realized that it is a 63cm, which is a bit too big for me, so have at it!

HAhaha, you had better hurry cause i'm thinking it is the same bike i was looking at ;)

I must have been closing the deal when you were typing this quote. I've paid my money and now I can play.
I read your other quote regarding the size being too big. As I am 6'6" with a 36.5" inseam this bike is a little smaller than my Mercian but it is a different animal, so I am anticipating being able to adapt quite easily. It is tough to find good large bikes. I almost chased a 69cm Panasonic frame but I was afraid it would be too tall. Rivendell PBH measurements said no, but I couldn't bring myself to chance it. Maybe I'll find a 67cm Schwinn and try that on for size some day.

good choice

I must have been closing the deal when you were typing this quote. I've paid my money and now I can play.
Great. Enjoy the bike.


I read your other quote regarding the size being too big. As I am 6'6" with a 36.5" inseam this bike is a little smaller than my Mercian but it is a different animal, so I am anticipating being able to adapt quite easily. It is tough to find good large bikes. I almost chased a 69cm Panasonic frame but I was afraid it would be too tall. Rivendell PBH measurements said no, but I couldn't bring myself to chance it. Maybe I'll find a 67cm Schwinn and try that on for size some day.
Rivendell fits folks with a really large bike. Nothing wrong with that if it works for you, but it shouldn't be hard to adapt to a good bit smaller than what they recommend if you want. I know that they would fit me three sizes larger than what I prefer.

I find it an interesting quirk of human nature that so many tall people seem to want ride with a fit based on either the Rivendell fit method or some other that yields a very large frame. The tall guys that come into the local shop all seem to want the biggest frames they can possibly ride. Shorter riders seem less predisposed in that direction.

I've paid my money and now I can play.


We'll need some pictures as soon as you're done building it up. I just missed a 63cm 1985 720 a few months ago -- congrats on your score!

Great. Enjoy the bike.


Rivendell fits folks with a really large bike. Nothing wrong with that if it works for you, but it shouldn't be hard to adapt to a good bit smaller than what they recommend if you want. I know that they would fit me three sizes larger than what I prefer.

I find it an interesting quirk of human nature that so many tall people seem to want ride with a fit based on either the Rivendell fit method or some other that yields a very large frame. The tall guys that come into the local shop all seem to want the biggest frames they can possibly ride. Shorter riders seem less predisposed in that direction.

I think it may be that we tall people find so few things matched to our height...I'm speculating. But there are many disadvantages of being tall. (Yet I enjoy being as tall as I am), try finding common slacks like levi jeans with a 37" inseam, cars with enough legroom, or a seat on an airplane, train or bus that provides a little room. I think then also when it comes to cycles that if we don't have to bend and scrunch to fit onto a bike because the frame looks proportionately fit to us then we may feel psychologically better. Pure speculation on my part...but compared to the cost of a car, a bike is cheap, it lasts longer than a custom made suit, and certainly United, American and Southwest are not going to alter there business model based on the small minority of the population that finds it uncomfortable in their seats...that's what first class with its inflated price is for...again a bike is cheaper. So if you can find a 67cm schwinn for a couple of hundred or for the richer set a Rivendell or custom cycle that conceivably will last a lifetime for $3k maybe it's not a bad investment.
Me I'm willing to try to fit the 25" frame for the time being and if my plan to commute and tour becomes the main mode of transportation then I will by my Mercedes aka Rivendell, Waterford or whatever the choice may be.
In the meantime my 720 is due to arrive this friday which happens to be my birthday. Happy b-day to me...oh you got me a new bike...you shouldn't have...and a trek 720...how did you know. My wife always knows just what I need.