Touring - Surly LHT build update

here are a few pics of my LHT thats so close to being able to be ridden but so far. (7 to 10 days) Im just waiting on some Jagwire Kevlar cable housing and Campagnolo cables from ebay to arrive in the mail.

I installed the Zefal fenders last night and realized that they really didnt fit no matter how i put them on. So i pulled out the dremel and hack saw, turining them into some race fenders. Probably voided the warranty somewhere.

Frame: Surly Long haul trucker
Frame tubing: Cromo steel
Fork: LHT fork
Headset: Cane creek C1
Crankarms: TruVativ Elita Triple
Chainrings: 28/38/48T
B/B: TruVativ ISIS SLLT
Pedals: Wellgo Road with clips & straps
Chain: SRAM p59
Freewheel: Shimano Deore 12-25 8 speed
F/D: Deore LX
R/D: Shimano Tiagra
Shifters: Shimano Sora
Handlebar: Easton OS Road Bar
Stem: Easton OS
Grips: Shelac natural cork
Brakes: Avid Shorty 4
Brake Levers: Shimano Sora Shimano 105
Front hub: Shimano Deore
Rear hub: Shimano Tiagra
Spokes: 14G Stainless
Tires: Continental super 2000 700x28c
Rims: Sun MZ-14
Saddle: Honey brooks champion flyer
Seatpost: Easton
Seat clamp: Surly
fenders: zefal

Saddle

crank

headset

Coming along nicely... I bet you're chafing at the bit to get on that pup and go for a spin.

:)

Very very nice!!!
Looking forward to the pics when the racks go on ...

im trying to decide what grips to put on this once i get my cables.

I was thinking either a natural cork dyed to match the saddle, or a pair of green camo grips from nashbar that go well with the frame. both look good, but different. Any thoughts?

Wrap some cheapo cork tape on the bars and then cover them with some nice brown cloth tape... you'll have some cushioning underneath the timeless look of the cloth tape.

After you get the brown cloth tape done finish it off with some hemp twine and a few coats of amber shellac.

the "speed clips" on those fenders break yet? I've got the same ones and a few of them broke after not that long (cold probably didn't help any here in minnesota).

the "speed clips" on those fenders break yet? I've got the same ones and a few of them broke after not that long (cold probably didn't help any here in minnesota).

Nope, not yet. But i can sure see them doing so. Seeing as i havent ridden it yet, and the problem already seems apparent.

I really like the construction on them, but the attachments seem super sketch. I guess they are ment to break off? I cant imagine missing a stick in my wheels. This feature should be "optional".

That's a very nice looking bike.

The Surly frames seem like a good value. I would have looked closely at them if I'd known about them back when I was buying a 520.

Do you have a total cost for your project recorded? Would you mind posting what it is?

What use will you make of the bike? It looks like you've set it up for commuting/utility cycling. Ideal for those purposes, it looks like.

That's a very nice looking bike.

The Surly frames seem like a good value. I would have looked closely at them if I'd known about them back when I was buying a 520.

Do you have a total cost for your project recorded? Would you mind posting what it is?

What use will you make of the bike? It looks like you've set it up for commuting/utility cycling. Ideal for those purposes, it looks like.

I've got a price breakdown on mine on my blog. http://www.wolfenet.org I think it came out to around 1300 or so. I'm using mine for commuting/touring. It can be built for way less, I went with stuff like chorus ergo, XT/Ultegra parts.

That's a very nice looking bike.

The Surly frames seem like a good value. I would have looked closely at them if I'd known about them back when I was buying a 520.

Do you have a total cost for your project recorded? Would you mind posting what it is?

What use will you make of the bike? It looks like you've set it up for commuting/utility cycling. Ideal for those purposes, it looks like.


I actually didnt spend more than around $1000 on it minus the racks i just got. What i did was part out most of 2005 kona jake that i bought for $750, sold the frame on ebay, got $225 ( which is actually more than it costs new, but frame wasnt avalible at the time). Then sold the bottom bracket and tires and got another $50, so that left me with a $475 set of components. I ended up spending another $150 on tires, BB, front D and The saddle. I was lucky to do business with spicercycles.com, who had the frame/fork for $350+25 s/h. So, if my math is right i spent about $975 for some pretty damn strong 700c wheels and nice components. Maybey another 50 for LBS work.

I advise this if you are comfortable doing some work yourself and are riding a 56cm bike or above.

MarkW,

Nice bike you put together. I'm also thinking of getting a LHT. I see you got the 62cm frame. How did you decide on this size? Would you mind posting your heigth and inseam measurements? I'm trying to figure my bike size....at 6'2" inseam 36"

thanks

i would say a 62cm, it´s the biggest they got

thanks for your opinion. nice webiste bye the way. I gave this picture a "10" http://schuma.fotopic.net/p7596201_v10.html very cool picture

hey thanks, it´s one of my favorite pictures, i love the feelings it conveys.

I installed the Zefal fenders last night and realized that they really didnt fit no matter how i put them on. So i pulled out the dremel and hack saw, turining them into some race fenders. Probably voided the warranty somewhere.

And you also defeated most of the purposes of fenders... Your rear fender will funnel the water at your feet and BB shell area, an you will catch some spray off the front, and a little off the back...
Nice bike...

And you also defeated most of the purposes of fenders... Your rear fender will funnel the water at your feet and BB shell area, an you will catch some spray off the front, and a little off the back...
Nice bike...


Haha your funny dude,
i looked at the full pic and noticed exactly what you mean.. Theyre now half-fenders .

Cant wait to build up my LHT
the pics look really nice, i like the black/puke green mix. thats what ill probably do

Haha your funny dude,
i looked at the full pic and noticed exactly what you mean.. Theyre now half-fenders .

I'm funny? That was a serious post, in case anyone didn't know... ???

well, i just laughed when you added the "nice bike" comment... good timing i guess.

the realisation came to mind that when it rains hard, and hes riding, hes not going to like it. and he is going to buy a new set of fenders.

-=stevey

It is a nice bike with or without the fenders. I made my comment on the fenders, and then added my comment about the bike as a whole.
The fenders do not made the bike look better/worse IMO, they are just there. I was commenting on the functionality of the fenders, and what you might (probably will) discover in actual use. Of course, YMMV. The good thing is that the LHT has GREAT clearance for fat tires and full coverage fenders...
I think that there fully loaded toruring bikes with fenders are sexy. :D

And you also defeated most of the purposes of fenders... Your rear fender will funnel the water at your feet and BB shell area, an you will catch some spray off the front, and a little off the back...
Nice bike...

yeah, i kind of figured that out on my ride yesterday. It all really came down to having the fenders on or off, because they just wouldnt fit the way i wanted them to.

So, do you think im better off taking them off entirely and just letting the water spray the bottom of my rack?

The fenders do not made the bike look better/worse IMO, they are just there. I was commenting on the functionality of the fenders, and what you might (probably will) discover in actual use. Of course, YMMV. The good thing is that the LHT has GREAT clearance for fat tires and full coverage fenders...
I think that there fully loaded toruring bikes with fenders are sexy. :D

Function is the only reason we use fenders. and thats whats sexy about them i think.
I had noticed the rain coverage limitations that he had created when he cut them. its just funny, because well, its obvious by looking at the picture the fenders now will not work in the actual use.. feet will get sprayed, so will the BB, and perhaps his knees/legs/face. it was also funny, because the person hasnt yet found any problem when they took that pic. Another thing thats only found in the riding.

Hand fabricated fenders are sexy, store bought fenders are just functional .. ehh somewhat sexy.. they got the mind appeal, because fenders are a godsend sometimes.

yeah, i kind of figured that out on my ride yesterday. It all really came down to having the fenders on or off, because they just wouldnt fit the way i wanted them to.

So, do you think im better off taking them off entirely and just letting the water spray the bottom of my rack?

Well, were they pricey?
if it was me, i would invest in a set of really sweet fenders to top off that sex appeal, its worth it too, because well, its a touring bike.

these are ok,
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fenders.asp

but even better
http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/default.php?cPath=27_130

okay, i guess this is what was kind of running thru my mind when i chopped them down. If mines funtionality sucks so badly (which they definately do), then how can the sell these "race" ones?

Because those fenders are the only types which will work with low clearance racing bikes, and fit under the small low clearance dual pivot brake calipers. On racing bikes, its either those fenders, or nothing. I'd rather have those fenders than nothing in the rain.

MarkW,

Nice bike you put together. I'm also thinking of getting a LHT. I see you got the 62cm frame. How did you decide on this size? Would you mind posting your heigth and inseam measurements? I'm trying to figure my bike size....at 6'2" inseam 36"

thanks

I'm right at 90-91cm inseam. 6'2". Go with the 62, you'll be fine. Rivendell's sizing has me at 64cm. Seat height is 80cm.

Mark