Touring - Surly LHT crank recommendation?

I just bought a Surly Long Haul trucker off of eBay and the bike arrived with a stripped crank -- the pedal in question, which the seller was kind enough to include with the bike, but NOT kind enough to describe in detail, has a lot of metal from the crank mixed into its threads. The inside of the crank is definitely stripped - pretty smooth and mostly lacking in threads for the first half of the threading. If I had to guess, I'd say he probably forced the pedal onto the crank by turning it clockwise, rather than the proper counter-clockwise threading for that side of the bike.

I'm a relative newbie to biking, so I thought I'd ask for advice here regarding a replacement crank - I will also check with my LBS. I'm a clydesdale (currently just over 230 lbs and slowly dwindling down to lighter weights....). I'm using the bike primarily for commuting (~20 mile round trip, maybe 20-25 pounds of gear?) and weekend rides through the Denver metro area and (maybe soon?) the foothills. I'm hoping to hit the local Colorado MS150 next year.

Comments, thought and/or suggestions?

My bike shop fixed mine for $15.

My bike shop fixed mine for $15.

Fixed a stripped crank? That'd be cool; I didn't know that was possible.

If the threads can't be cleaned up, you might be able to buy just the single crank arm from loosescrews.com

If you decide to replace the entire crankset, the Sugino XD-350 or XD-600 cranks are pretty good touring triples. benscycle.net usually has them in stock at low price.

Fixed a stripped crank? That'd be cool; I didn't know that was possible.

Depending on how badly it's mucked up it might be possible to just re-tap it. If it's too far gone for that I believe there is a heli-coil type insert that can be used.

If it is a stock crank then this will be what you want to buy.I know because I have two sets of these.Don,t let the name on it mess you up.It is the same that come,s on a stock Surly LHT if you have a 170mm crank arm.This is what you need to get.I know it says cross crank but it is the same model and the # on the back of the crank will match up. Hope this helps out.
Dimension


170mm Cross Crank Arm Set 110/74 Black, Includes Bolts (CR2330)


$38.95

just bought a Surly Long Haul trucker off of eBay:roflmao2:
now you pay the difference, you thought you could save..

:roflmao2:
now you pay the difference, you thought you could save..
Actually, no: the seller will be reimbursing me for the crank replacement.

Thanks for the information, guys!

A mountain bike crankset will have the low gears that help a lot.. 22,32, 44,
maybe upsize big ring to a 46, but leaving as is will cost less, 44 by 12 is plenty high for touring.

this forum is full of ebay false bargains, good that the seller, in your case will help.

the standard crankset was chosen to keep the assembled bike cost down.
and so you wont have to spend much to get the identical parts, if that is your desire

It's the crankset that's mucked up, right? Not the bottom bracket? I'd say to buy something new. I put a Sugino XD-600 on my LHT. It came with 26-36-46 chainrings. I replaced the 26-tooth granny with a 24. I don't want to wish for a lower gear on a hill. So far, the 24 with the 34-tooth cog on the cassette (Cyclotouriste 13 from Harris Cyclery) has been low enough to get me up every hill I've encountered, and I carry a pretty big load. The 22-tooth granny wouldn't be a bad idea. You can't have too low of a setup, but you sure can have a not-low-enough range.

I'd also say look at the Shimano LX crankset on Jensonusa.com it is usually had for only $89 and is pretty solid.