Fifty Plus (50+) - Maiden voyage on the LHT (pics)

What began a few months ago as a search for a replacement hybrid that fits, eventually turned into a search for an all-around bike somewhere in between my heavy/too-big hybrid and the light/speedy Roubaix. I found it in the Surly Long Haul Trucker. If the Roubaix is my "little black dress", then the LHT is my "Little Blue Jean". And I'm a jeans gal, through and through.

I installed the new Cateye Micro Wireless computer and Hubby put on a bottle cage and pump mount, and we set out for its maiden voyage on a beautiful fall day.

Our first stop was at our favorite LBS to buy a pair of 26" tubes. We met with the owner and discussed my purchase of the LHT at the other shop; he totally agreed and respected my reasons. He said he'd be happy to service my bike. I told him I'd ordered Nitto Moustache bars on Saturday morning, and he showed me the ones he has on his own bike.

From there we headed uphill toward our favorite MUP to see how the little LHT handles our familiar routes. At the end of the trail (or the beginning, depending on where you begin) we encountered a group of another type of rider....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce33b3127ccec50c9c54b04b00000040O08Eas2TVu4cg9vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

From there we rode up a steep hill to the Padua Hills Theater (http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_directory/ca_california/event_venue_921.html). The climb was a cinch in the granny ring. Flying back down at 30mph felt stable and sure-footed.

Later, we stopped for pie..... pizza pie! What was supposed to be mushrooms turned out to be pineapple, but the pizza was delicious and very satisfying.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce33b3127ccec50c8f7ff0f100000040O08Eas2TVu4cg9vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

This is the place where we often stop for bagels on Saturday mornings; it's a popular stop for cyclists. The railing surrounding the outdoor patio makes a handy resting place for the bikes... like this little cutie --

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce33b3127ccec50ca850b05500000040O08Eas2TVu4cg9vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

After dinner we headed home at the end of a 20+ mile cruise around town.

I loved the ride. Without making any changes to the stem or bars, I feel more comfortable than I do on the Roubaix (on which I swapped the stem and bars). I was a little apprehensive about the bar-end shifters in traffic and hills, but it took me less than a mile to learn and like them. On the hill, I shifted into the granny ring in front, and back to the middle at the top (my first experience with friction shifting), and did so flawlessly.

Everything is stock except the A530 pedals (platform on one side, SPD on the other). I used the platform side very briefly a couple of times, and the sole of my Sidi Dominators sat very nicely on the platform without slipping.

The LHT is several pounds heavier than the Roubaix but I hardly noticed a difference. Gearing is lower on the LHT and the ride is smooth and comfortable. The Roubaix is faster than I need for most of the riding we do, and comparing the weight of the LHT against the Roubaix and calling it "heavy" is like comparing myself with an anorexic and calling myself "fat".

I'll swap the saddle ASAP and get some tape for the moustache bars, maybe a rack with a trunk pack, mount my Topeak bag on the front, and I'll be good to go.

After my first real ride on the LHT, I'm extremely satisfied. The ride is very smooth (I can now understand the love affair with steel). It is very sure-footed (like the hybrid), likes to climb (like the Roubaix), easy and fun to ride............ and it's blue! It feels like the all-purpose every-occasion hop-on-and-go bike I was looking for.

I see many happy miles ahead on my Little Blue Jean. :love:

Yen!

A touring bike with 26"! Congrat's! Hope all is going well!

Looks like the beginning of a great relationship. I'm not at all surprised that you adapted to the bar end shifters so quickly. They are my favorite type of shifter. Just for kicks, try switching the rear shifter to friction mode sometime. I think you'll be surprised how intuitive and easy it is to shift without the cheater clicks. ;)

Fred! :)

I was going to send out a search and rescue team to find out where you went. Glad to see you're still around.

Looks like the beginning of a great relationship. I'm not at all surprised that you adapted to the bar end shifters so quickly. They are my favorite type of shifter. Just for kicks, try switching the rear shifter to friction mode sometime. I think you'll be surprised how intuitive and easy it is to shift without the cheater clicks. ;)

Cheater clicks! Just when I was feeling good about myself for learning something new (again). ;) OK, I'll try it sometime. I like them a lot, and I think I'll love them when they're at the end of the moustache bars where I can reach them by just sliding my hand to the end instead of removing it from the bar. It was a little awkward the first couple of times but by the end of the ride it was almost second nature.

Congratulations, Yen!!! I'll check out the LHT for sure. Great ride report and pictures. I love stories with a happy ending. :love:

Tru: Definitely check out the LHT. Hubby wants one now too.:rolleyes:

I forgot to mention that squeezing the brake levers from the hoods (the only place where I can) got pretty painful after about 15 miles. My wrist and thumb joints (both with a pre-existing problem) were quite sore. I'm not sure if I need to rotate the bars a little, move the levers, change the levers, or change the reach, but I know I won't last long with them. Although the real issue is this troublesome hand of mine, I didn't have any pain with the original set-up on the Roubaix. I'll ask the shop tomorrow if they can expedite the moustache bars to arrive before the end of the week.

Your pink helmet looks mah-velous with that blue, by the way. And what on earth is on that pizza? I thought it was my favorite, sausage, mushroom, and onion. But I think I see chunks of pineapple!

Great report and Pics. I'm glad you like the bike so much and that it's
working out so well.

Happy Trails

Sounds like a great maiden voyage. So you went with moustache instead of bullhorn for now, eh?

Yum, pineapple on pizza. I like pineapple & Canadian bacon on pizza. I've had some good pizzas with peaches on them too.

Your pink helmet looks mah-velous with that blue, by the way. And what on earth is on that pizza? I thought it was my favorite, sausage, mushroom, and onion. But I think I see chunks of pineapple!

:lol: That's pineapple. We ordered a sausage, mushroom, tomato and basil pizza. The young guy at the counter accidently hit the "pineapple" button which is next to the "mushroom" button (that's his story). I wonder what the chef thought about our "choice" of pineapple with the other ingredients. :lol: We picked it off and ate it separately, and the pizza was delicious. We also split a salad which came with a basket of garlic bread (which we didn't expect), enough for 3 people. This meal would have made a great pre-ride carbo-load. :eek:

Sounds like a great maiden voyage. So you went with moustache instead of bullhorn for now, eh?

Yes, I thought I'd give them a try. I really like the looks of them and I needed to just pick one and move on, so I picked these after extensive research. :rolleyes:


Yum, pineapple on pizza. I like pineapple & Canadian bacon on pizza. I've had some good pizzas with peaches on them too.

I like it (pineapple) too but not with sausage, tomato and basil. (See my reply to TruF's question above.) I like it with ham. Peaches on pizza??? What other ingredients might complement that.... ham, perhaps?

Yum, pineapple on pizza. I like pineapple & Canadian bacon on pizza. I've had some good pizzas with peaches on them too.

That does it. I've lost all respect for you now. ;)

Pizza comes with pepperoni or Italian sausage and mushrooms. That's it.:thumb:

Pineapple is pretty popular on pizza. It is one of Pizza Hut's specialty pizzas. At one of the big pizzerias in Morgantown, WV, when I was going to college there, the pineapple & ham (or Canadian bacon) was their #2 selling pizza, right after pepperoni. A good low-fat pizza is ham & pineapple with half-cheese.

I like a lot of different kinds of pizza ... as long as it doesn't have anchovies, green peppers, or onions. I could have eaten Yen's sausage, tomato, pineapple & basil without picking the pineapple off.

Have you had a barbeque chicken pizza? I like those. And I had one of those with peaches once.

Pineapple is pretty popular on pizza. It is one of Pizza Hut's specialty pizzas. At one of the big pizzerias in Morgantown, WV, when I was going to college there, the pineapple & ham (or Canadian bacon) was their #2 selling pizza, right after pepperoni. A good low-fat pizza is ham & pineapple with half-cheese.

I like a lot of different kinds of pizza ... as long as it doesn't have anchovies, green peppers, or onions. I could have eaten Yen's sausage, tomato, pineapple & basil without picking the pineapple off.

Have you had a barbeque chicken pizza? I like those. And I had one of those with peaches once.

I could have eaten it without picking off the pineapple, but I didn't think the pineapple taste would complement the basil which I like a lot more. I enjoyed it picked off though. I've had BBQ'd chicken pizza and liked it. My current favorite is pesto pizza but I smell like a garlic clove for days afterward.:eek: I also like another current favorite, marguerita pizza -- chopped/sliced tomato with fresh basil.

Pizza notwithstanding (it deserves its own thread), I'm glad you enjoyed your LHT. A friend of ours has been riding and touring with her LHT, which is a lovelyl shade of green, all summer. It has made her very strong and fast, so when she rides her road bike, we no longer slack, but must pedal hard to keep up with her. She loves that bike, and she likes to say "Surly Long Haul Trucker."

I'm glad you're enjoying your new bike so much. I realized this year, during a race, that cycling makes me feel like I'm 10 yrs. old again. I love that feeling -- no wonder I ride so much -- I'm looking for that feeling again. A new bike does it, too. I can tell you're smitten with the LHT, so I know you'll be posting those rides. I'm eagerly anticipating reading your reports.

It never struck me before, but looking at the picture of Yen's LHT, I see that it is a very similar bike to my Kemo Sabe.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/Kemo.jpg

That does it. I've lost all respect for you now. ;)

Pizza comes with pepperoni or Italian sausage and mushrooms. That's it.:thumb:
I agree Dawg, Pineapple and or peaches are much too sweet for Pizza.

Yen that is a great looking bike, Hope you enjoy many rides and a lot of miles on it.

Yen,

Very nice bike. It seems perfect for the type of riding you do. However, you should be flogged for your mistreatment of "your little black dress" the Roubaix Expert.:D

Yen,

Very nice bike. It seems perfect for the type of riding you do. However, you should be flogged for your mistreatment of "your little black dress" the Roubaix Expert.:D

+1, don't give up on the Roubaix. I still use both of mine a lot. There is no favorite, I like them both. Anyhow congratulations on the new ride.:thumb:

I wonder what the next N+1 will be as you continue to expand your wardrobe? Jeans, little black dress... maybe something for those times when you need an in-between? Isn't it nice to have choices when its time to ride?

What tires did have put on it? The standard 700x32s?

Now that pizza has been accepted as a valid form of pie for 50+............:innocent:

What tires did have put on it? The standard 700x32s?

Not likely with the 26" wheels. :p

Cheater clicks! Just when I was feeling good about myself for learning something new (again). ;) OK, I'll try it sometime. I like them a lot, and I think I'll love them when they're at the end of the moustache bars where I can reach them by just sliding my hand to the end instead of removing it from the bar. It was a little awkward the first couple of times but by the end of the ride it was almost second nature.

Jen....I'm glad to see you're enjoying your new ride!
The bar end shifters work really well with moustache bars. You'll love the set up.
Did the LBS owner suggest you get a shorter stem with your moustache bars? Most m-bar set ups require shorter stems. :)

Not likely with the 26" wheels. :p

Well, that is true. So it is a 1.25" or 1.5" tire?

Now that pizza has been accepted as a valid form of pie for 50+............:innocent:

Not on the annual PIE Ride!!!!!!!

Now if you want a Pitza ride- organise the date-

but I am afraid that I do not like Pitza at all. If I want all that amount of Fat and Carbs- I'll have a proper breakfast. Eggs- bacon- Sausage- Tomatoes (Never beans)- Mushroom- Fried bread and Black Pudding. Only ever get that at a couple of cafes round here and never on Bike rides.

And BD is right- Only two Pitzas are worth having- And I still don't like Either.

And YEN- sorry to hijack but as you can tell-I DON'T LIKE PITZA.

The surly looks great

It never struck me before, but looking at the picture of Yen's LHT, I see that it is a very similar bike to my Kemo Sabe.

...exactly!

That's what got me thinking about getting an old steel mountain bike (like yours, Blue Dawg). If I stand back and squint at my new/old Stumpjumper, I see a nice touring bike just waiting to emerge...

I DON'T LIKE PITZA.

But do you like pizza? :p

BTW, Pizza Hut is not a good representative of pizza. Back when I used to travel to Long Island fairly often on business trips I became totally spoiled by the fantastic pies sold there in tiny hole-in-the-wall pizzarias all over the place. For weeks I would refuse to eat the pale imitations offered at home. The level of offerings here has now improved, but there is still nothing to compare to a good slice of real New York pizza. (I'm sure that people in Chicago will disagree).

Another reason why I don't like Pizza- I can't spell it.

Yes, the 26" wheeled LHT's definitely have that old school mtb geometry. That's one reason I was attracted to it. It was a lot easier than locating a Expedition, for instance.
None of that sloping top tube stuff for me..... :p

It never struck me before, but looking at the picture of Yen's LHT, I see that it is a very similar bike to my Kemo Sabe.

How do you like the Midge bars? I just ordered one to see if I like them on my LHT.
I have the original WTB Dirt Drops but I did not like them. I think I'll like the bends on the Midge bars better, especially with bar end shifters.
We'll see what happens after I get them and mount them.

Well, that is true. So it is a 1.25" or 1.5" tire?

1.5" WTB Slick-a-saurus tires is what comes standard on the complete bike. I would guess from the photo that hers are at least that wide.

I have 26x1.5" on my Bridgestone CB-1, 700x38 (same as 1.5") on my Trek 7600, and 20x1.5" on my Sun recumbent. I like 32-38mm tires.

Another reason why I don't like Pizza- I can't spell it.

Stapfam: My favorite "chain" restaurant in the UK: Pizza Express...

Though chains are never as interesting as local food, if you're wandering down some random High Street, don't know where to eat, and kids are ready to declare war on the parents -- Pizza Express was always a good option for us. Often they do a nice job putting their restaurants into otherwise neglected buildings, as well.

Stapfam: My favorite "chain" restaurant in the UK: Pizza Express...

Though chains are never as interesting as local food, if you're wandering down some random High Street, don't know where to eat, and kids are ready to declare war on the parents -- Pizza Express was always a good option for us. Often they do a nice job putting their restaurants into otherwise neglected buildings, as well.

Funnily enough- Any fast food restaurant and I do not go anywhere near it- but Pizza Express is struggling at present' Too many other "Good" pizza places to eat at that are (Apparantly) cheaper- better and offer Better Quality. SO Pizza Express is now doing Pasta. Now that is something that I could be tempted to try sometime. How can they mess up Pasta. Even I can't do that.


Yen--

I am blaming this hijack of your thread on you going for a ride and NOT having PIE. So get on the bike as soon as you can and find the adjustments to be made on the bike set up. And while you are setting up the bike- Find a decent PIE shop and post pics. Do need a pic of the bike in front of the Garage as it is a little hard to see the bike in all it's glory. (Or is it just my poor eyesight)

Talking pizza on this thread is not a hijack. Yen brought it up first and posted a pizza picture.

Pineapple & Ham pizzas are known as Hawaiian pizzas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_pizza

It is the #1 pizza in Australia.

Just because something is popular doesn't make it right. Example; easy credit.

Another reason why I don't like Pizza- I can't spell it.
You spelled it phonetically. :thumb:

You know, somehow it seems appropriate that a post about a Surly bike would get derailed into a discussion of peach and pineapple pizzas. It's all good! :thumb:

My tires are 26x1.5.

I'm not forsaking the Roubaix.... it's just taking a little rest. A few weeks ago the rear tire had a bulge (defect) so we went to the LBS and replaced both of them with Armadillos. Since the stock tires were 23/25s, he asked me which I wanted. Without enough thinking I said 23. So now I have skinny rigid tires, and the ride is jarring, even filled to 100psi. I'm considering replacing them with 28s, perhaps Continentals, or ????, then selling the Armadillos as "almost new". Sigh!

It never struck me before, but looking at the picture of Yen's LHT, I see that it is a very similar bike to my Kemo Sabe.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/Kemo.jpg

Yes, it sure is. That's a great pic.

From what I've read, 23mm Armadillos are just about the harshest ride you can get.

After my first real ride on the LHT, I'm extremely satisfied. The ride is very smooth (I can now understand the love affair with steel). It is very sure-footed (like the hybrid), likes to climb (like the Roubaix), easy and fun to ride............ and it's blue! It feels like the all-purpose every-occasion hop-on-and-go bike I was looking for.

I see many happy miles ahead on my Little Blue Jean. :love:

Nice bike, Yen.

I too never understood the fascination with steel until I bought one. I'm sure you'll have many happy miles on it.

From what I've read, 23mm Armadillos are just about the harshest ride you can get.

Well then, I have about the harshest ride I care to have. :cry:

Nice bike, Yen. Judging by the appearance of the tires and frame, the LHT should be, within reason, a go-anywhere bike... pavement, gravel, chip seal, mild trails etc. I like it.

A lot of road bikes don't have sufficient fork clearance to fit a 28mm tire. Although not all 28s are the same. Some fit a max size of 26.

If'n I were you, I'd go for a tire with a cushier ride. Maybe a Rivendell Roll-y Pol-y 700x27. I've read many positive opinions about how smooth these ride.

A few weeks ago the rear tire had a bulge (defect) so we went to the LBS and replaced both of them with Armadillos. Since the stock tires were 23/25s, he asked me which I wanted. Without enough thinking I said 23. So now I have skinny rigid tires, and the ride is jarring, even filled to 100psi. I'm considering replacing them with 28s, perhaps Continentals, or ????, then selling the Armadillos as "almost new". Sigh!

I just increased the size of the tires on my Davidson to 28's from 25's. Just a bit more comfortable, and better riding on rough roads (like chip seal) and handling on bad pavement. For real-world riding, I think somewhat bigger tires makes more sense than skinny ones. (I have 23's on the Tommasini).

My 28's are Continental 4 Seasons -- they are not quick as thick as the Gatorskins, but have more flat protection than the sporter Conitinentals...seem to be a good compromise.

I just increased the size of the tires on my Davidson to 28's from 25's. Just a bit more comfortable, and better riding on rough roads (like chip seal) and handling on bad pavement. For real-world riding, I think somewhat bigger tires makes more sense than skinny ones. (I have 23's on the Tommasini).

My 28's are Continental 4 Seasons -- they are not quick as thick as the Gatorskins, but have more flat protection than the sporter Conitinentals...seem to be a good compromise.

When I bought my Giant, the shop highly recommended the Conti Sport Contact (or is it Contact Sports?) 28s. Heresy, I know... like putting a Brooks on carbon but, well, there it is. I love the 28s... faster enough, good flat protection and REAL trustworthy in the turns.

Another reason why I don't like Pizza- I can't spell it.

If your Pizza is anything like the one we had at a London Pizza Hut in 85 - I couldn't agree more.