Fifty Plus (50+) - Got the N+1 Hankerin' 50+ Blues

It's crazy I tell ya. I've been hankerin' for a pure touring bike for years. I've lots of "go fast" road bikes in my basement and I love 'em all. I have a MTB that successfully provided me with some loaded touring fun, but I've never even ridden an actual bike designed for touring.

After doing the requisite research, I have fallen for the new "09 Surly LHT.http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I have admired from afar the LHT's featured here on BF (Yen :thumb:), yet have been fighting the urge. But, alas, the new color has stolen my heart. It's called "Truckaccino".

I only hope I don't blow the money on something silly like food, shelter, and clothing while I'm thinking this through.

You better move quick or the "09" stock will be gone until the "10's" come out!

Hard to go wrong with a Surly. They seem to hold their value really well, too.

Another new for '09 bike is the Novara Randonee, available at REI. Same price; I think the Surly is a better deal. Choice is whether you want to run brifters (Randonee) or bar-ends (LHT).

Hard to go wrong with a Surly. They seem to hold their value really well, too.

Another new for '09 bike is the Novara Randonee, available at REI. Same price; I think the Surly is a better deal. Choice is whether you want to run brifters (Randonee) or bar-ends (LHT).
Yeah, I checked out the Novara online. It is a great value but I prefer the bar end shifters for many reasons.

Yeah, that new "truckaccino cream" color looks really nice. :thumb:

You better move quick or the "09" stock will be gone until the "10's" come out!
I understand they sell like hotcakes. I wonder if they've hit the bike shops floors yet?

The folks at Surly have a reputation for answering emails quickly...you might ask who in your area is likely to stock it. When I was shopping for one it took me awhile to find a dealer in Seattle who stocked built-up Surlys, finally did...

It's such a good bike...I would prefer the bar-ends too on this kind of bike.

Good choice Louis and the color looks great.:thumb:

That is a nice color. I really liked the '08 blue too.

It's a very solid bike and the price is quite good given the quality of the components. I like that XT rear derailleur. The gearing is very relaxed, I see they have a 34t rear cog, that's the largest any mountain bike even uses. And those 1.5" tires (or 37mm ... same thing) are even wider than what many touring bikes use. If one didn't want to go quite that wide, you could talk to the dealer about swapping the 700x37 tires for 700x32 at the time of purchase. However I could see staying with the 1.5" for an extra comfortable ride.

I seem to recall owning a '78 Chevy Impala that was almost the same color.
Looks much better on the bike, trust me.

That is a nice color. I really liked the '08 blue too.

It's a very solid bike and the price is quite good given the quality of the components. I like that XT rear derailleur. The gearing is very relaxed, I see they have a 34t rear cog, that's the largest any mountain bike even uses. And those 1.5" tires (or 37mm ... same thing) are even wider than what many touring bikes use. If one didn't want to go quite that wide, you could talk to the dealer about swapping the 700x37 tires for 700x32 at the time of purchase. However I could see staying with the 1.5" for an extra comfortable ride.
I'd probably just leave the 1.5's on.

I see they are using a Andel crank. Never heard of that name but I think I trust the folks at Surly. :twitchy:

I'd probably just leave the 1.5's on.

I see they are using a Andel crank. Never heard of that name but I think I trust the folks at Surly. :twitchy:

Even if it turns out to be a cheap POS that wears out quickly, You can replace it with a Sugino SD for under $100. There are enough choice items in the parts kit to make up for a cut corner here and there. Any bike needs a little upgrading here and there.

You can't go wrong with bar end shifters :)

I'd probably just leave the 1.5's on.

I see they are using a Andel crank. Never heard of that name but I think I trust the folks at Surly. :twitchy:

I noticed that too. They've had Sugino XD on them for the past few years.

Have you ever thought about a Long Wheel Base Recumbent for touring? Talk about comfort. You might want to test ride one before you decilde. bk

It's crazy I tell ya. I've been hankerin' for a pure touring bike for years. I've lots of "go fast" road bikes in my basement and I love 'em all. I have a MTB that successfully provided me with some loaded touring fun, but I've never even ridden an actual bike designed for touring.

After doing the requisite research, I have fallen for the new "09 Surly LHT.http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I have admired from afar the LHT's featured here on BF (Yen :thumb:), yet have been fighting the urge. But, alas, the new color has stolen my heart. It's called "Truckaccino".

I only hope I don't blow the money on something silly like food, shelter, and clothing while I'm thinking this through.

I expect to see your "I pulled the trigger" post momentarily. ;)

It's crazy I tell ya. I've been hankerin' for a pure touring bike for years. I've lots of "go fast" road bikes in my basement and I love 'em all. I have a MTB that successfully provided me with some loaded touring fun, but I've never even ridden an actual bike designed for touring.

After doing the requisite research, I have fallen for the new "09 Surly LHT.http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I have admired from afar the LHT's featured here on BF (Yen :thumb:), yet have been fighting the urge. But, alas, the new color has stolen my heart. It's called "Truckaccino".

I only hope I don't blow the money on something silly like food, shelter, and clothing while I'm thinking this through.

You've done enough thinking.....time to buy it! It would make a great bike for touring.

I love the color:love:

Have you ever thought about a Long Wheel Base Recumbent for touring? Talk about comfort. You might want to test ride one before you decilde. bk

There's a LBS near me that specializes in recumbents. The owner has tried a few times to get me interested but I guess I'm just not a recumbent guy.

but I guess I'm just not a recumbent guy.

You guess wrong, my friend.

You guess wrong, my friend.

Yeah. What would he know about his own preferences? He's just...himself. :rolleyes:

I can see the recumbent guy in Louis all the way from Wisconsin!!

I don't know. I gave a friend a car ride to distant century and when i lifted his LHT to the roof rack I almost popped a vein. That thing weighs more than my mountain bike. I think it was about 30 pounds. Without racks or lights or anything.

And 26" wheels (his was the larger size with 700c) seem weird on a touring bike.

I mention all this because I too am thinking touring bike. I'm looking at the Fuji and the Cannondale bikes (not being a fan of bar end shifters.)

Just grist for the mill....

Sweet-looking bike, there, Louis. I think you won't regret it.

The oldest bike in my stable is a 25-year-old Trek touring bike. For years, it sat relatively unused in my bike shed, as I experimented with various go-fast bikes, but now I find that I ride it more and more. There's something rather nice about two slack-angled, low-geared, somewhat rusty old-timers rolling comfortably down life's highway.

I think the Fuji Touring bike weighs around 28 pounds. Pretty close to the Surly, which I've read is also around 28-28.5 w/o racks.

The LHT can be equipped with either 26" or 700c wheels.

No argument from me! :thumb: The Surly is a cutie, isn't it? And that color is just begging for a brown Brooks saddle.

Mine weighed 26 pounds including bottle cages. I love it. On hills, I have passed stronger riders on lighter bikes. It climbs as easily as my cf Roubaix Expert, no doubt about it. I ordered a rack and trunk pack which came today so now I can start commuting around town and have a place to store a U-lock.

Have I said how much I love my Surly Long Haul Trucker? :love:

And it's true.... the Surly gang answers email very quickly and in a friendly manner.

I mention all this because I too am thinking touring bike. I'm looking at the Fuji and the Cannondale bikes (not being a fan of bar end shifters.)



Some other options in touring bikes right around this price range

- Novara Randonee (mentioned above)
- Kona Sutra
- Bianchi Volpe (a cross bike but often used for touring.)

I don't know. I gave a friend a car ride to distant century and when i lifted his LHT to the roof rack I almost popped a vein. That thing weighs more than my mountain bike. I think it was about 30 pounds. Without racks or lights or anything.

And 26" wheels (his was the larger size with 700c) seem weird on a touring bike.

I mention all this because I too am thinking touring bike. I'm looking at the Fuji and the Cannondale bikes (not being a fan of bar end shifters.)

Just grist for the mill....

I own a Cannondale T800. It's a nice enough touring bike, but the top tube walls are pretty thin. I had mine leaning against the shed, when a garden rake fell off it's hook and hit the top tube. It actually put a pretty substantial dent in the top tube. Had it checked out by a Cannondale rep, and it's safe to ride, but it seems to me an impact of this level shouldn't dent any of the tubes on a bike.

The LHT can be equipped with either 26" or 700c wheels.

Yes, but it is not an option that you can choose. It depends on the frame size. 42-54cm frames accommodate 26" wheels. 56-62cm frames accommodate 700c wheels.

I have a Cannondale touring bike from around 1991. I got it as a frameset and built it with stuff I had or had given to me. It weighs about 24 pounds, but when touring, that goes up over 50.

Yes, but it is not an option that you can choose. It depends on the frame size. 42-54cm frames accommodate 26" wheels. 56-62cm frames accommodate 700c wheels.
Fortunately I like the 26" wheels, otherwise I'd be SOL because I'm going to need a 52cm frame.

Someone mentioned weight...I'm not concerned about weight. It's a touring bike, it needs to be more robust than our go fast bikes are. She's a lover, not a fighter. :p

Received an email from Surly yesterday. Frames in Truckaccino Cream are available now, the pre built bikes will hit the floors in mid December.

It doesn't have to be heavy, though, if you're a lighter person. For example, I weighed 220 when I started my longest tour, plus 55-60 for the bike and stuff=280 pounds total weight. Someone who is 140 and has a light bike and packs light could end up with a total much lower than my body weight alone. I think a smaller person could easily use a 20 pound touring bike. I have 12,000 miles on my Gunnar Sport which has rack eyelets and it's about 21 pounds with strong wheels and parts that could withstand plenty of touring for most riders.
I know, when cruising on flat ground the weight isn't a factor, but multiple days of climbing and I start mailing stuff home and wishing I had lost a little more weight.
The last 5 day motel tour I did there were 4 women and they rode their race-type bikes with seatpost racks and backpacks or bar bags.

I did some loaded touring on an early Fuji Del Rey (23 lbs.) sport touring road bike before trying the MTB as a tourer. The Fuji did the job but was a bit noodley. The MTB had a much more solid feel, and because I had geared it even lower than stock, it was preferable to the Fuji.

Of course, all this took place when I was younger and much stronger (and lighter:cry:).:)

I met a guy from Switzerland who was touring California on a mtb that weighed over 100 pounds with all the crap he had piled up on the rear rack. It would lift the front wheel when he wasn't on it. He was so strong, my friend loaned him a road bike and he did great on our club ride.
One of the guys I went cross country with in 1990 was at 75 pounds for the bike when we took off. He quickly started throwing stuff away and mailing stuff home. He also had everything on a rear rack and when he tried to stand and pedal, the bike wobbled so bad he couldn't control it.
I had a Nishiki Seral that was noodly and heavy but did great with front and rear racks. I had a 28x28 low gear on it. The last time I took the Cannondale out I put a 28x30 on it.