Touring - Windsor Tourist or Build a Surly 26" long hual trucker?

I like the Tourist price but the Surly is a Tank of a bike. I could buy just the 26" frame set and add my parts from my current bike to build it. Then up grade the trucker slowly to how I would like. The price would be close.

Lots of options to dream about.
Enjoy .

I like the Tourist price but the Surly is a Tank of a bike. I could buy just the 26" frame set and add my parts from my current bike to build it. Then up grade the trucker slowly to how I would like. The price would be close.

Why 26" wheels? Small frame size? "Expedition touring? If not, 700c might be prefeable. I have found it significantly more difficult to find suitable 26" tires than similar suitable 700c tires.

You won't regret it if you go for the LHT!

That's how I built up my LHT...go for it. The LHT is a great bike and will last a lifetime.

Hmm if I knew then what I knew now. :rolleyes:

I Bought a Windsor Tourist Used third owner I believe. So I had a good savings starting out for a bike that was basically new condition. If I would have kept it stock I would have been money ahead of all other methods of getting into a true touring bike. But there was much that I wanted to change, gearing and fit. I never had the wheels gone over properly and ended up having both wheels rebuilt.

So if I were to add up all my costs I kind of did the same thing to some degree only building up what I needed on a Windsor Tourist frame a little at a time. I didn’t have the donor bike to go the other way though. That and I didn’t have the understanding of what I needed it was more of the “On the job training.”

Seeing as how what I now know is right for me and I have never seen a touring bike sold set up anything close to mine I had to evolve into it. Your idea of starting with a known like the Surly frame is not a bad idea. You didn’t mention what your donor bike is set up with, so it’s hard to say what percent of the parts will pass the test.

Why 26" wheels? Small frame size? "Expedition touring? If not, 700c might be prefeable. I have found it significantly more difficult to find suitable 26" tires than similar suitable 700c tires.
I gather its because his current bike is a 26" mtb. OP, have you thought about setting your current bike up more for touring by swapping out a few parts or are you dead set on getting a true touring bike?

Go with the Trucker build out. You'll have fun and can personalize it to your riding needs. Be a family heirloom, unlike some off the shelf bike.

Why 26" wheels? Small frame size? "Expedition touring? If not, 700c might be prefeable. I have found it significantly more difficult to find suitable 26" tires than similar suitable 700c tires.

I bought mine with the 26 inch wheel option when buying my 56cm LHT. I bought it because I wanted the wider tire option that the 26 inch wheel offers, so I don't understand your response. Of course I wanted the option for wider tires when I feel the need so I am sure it is just our different needs or desires. I truly believe though that the 26 inch wheel gives more tire options. 26 inch wheels are still, marginally, stronger, all things being equal. I wanted something that was going to be bulletproof and something that could be further protected by using larger tires. At the same time I can put smaller tires on if I want. All in all, after more than a year, I am very happy with my choice.

I like my 26" wheel Trekking bike , I did find when I had the wide 700c wheels .
spare tires were rare, even in village bike shops in Ireland/UK.

Even when I get a Built up bike, before a long tour , it has been overhauled,
dry assembled screws greased, and power tool line assembled fittings
re done to standard torques, by hand..

I like the Tourist price but the Surly is a Tank of a bike. I could buy just the 26" frame set and add my parts from my current bike to build it. Then up grade the trucker slowly to how I would like. The price would be close.

We have both the LHT ( my wife's ) and a Windsor Tourist ( My 11-year-old son ) in the family. Honestly, I was expecting the Tourist to be semi-awful, but it's actually turned out to be an incredible deal. Even the much-maligned wheels on my son's have stayed utterly true, and he is by no means a gentle rider. Heck, the welds on the Tourist look a heck of a lot nicer than the ones on the LHT.

The one complaint we have is that the paint on the tourist is thin, and scratches quite easily. But functionally, it's great.

Yes, one or the other, or another. The bikes are so different it's not clear what you're looking for other than a budget of $600

I absolutely love my Trucker. Can't say much about the Windsor but I can assure you that you'll be happy with a LHT :)

I have two touring bikes, 700c which I primarily use on pavement and 26 inch which I primarily use on gravel (rail to trail) trips. I do not regret the decision to have both.

Hands down the LHT26! The most versatile of the LHTs, IMO... asphalt, gravel, domestic, international, you name it!

I'm building up a Surly Disc Trucker 26" 'cause I don't like touring bikes that don't permit fatter tires plus I wanted to try disc brakes. Windsor is a good deal but OTOH I got a pretty good deal on a Novara Randonee but after a couple of years I got bothered by it's limitations...somewhat harsh ride on bumpy surfaces, canti brakes that did poorly in the misty mountains etc. Touring bikes end up heavy with all the racks, sturdy wheels etc. Actually surprised to heft new Surly frame & it doesn't feel that heavy. Yes it's not feather-light like a racing frame or a Cannondale aluminum touring frame but still the weight is a small fraction of the complete bike.

I have a peice together MTB that I use as a my bike right now. I have been looking to buy me a new bike, one that will be MY bike. I've changed my mind about 5 to 6 times while looking. First I wanted the Cross check, then Moto fantom cross, then nashbar cross, then the tourist. Then me and my riding buddy came to realize that we dont need faster bikes, thats not what we do. We just want to cruse and ride, ride long. Well he has a 26' LHT, and it dawned on me why not just buy which is one if not the best Touring bike out their. The frame is about the same I was looking at paying for a whole new bike from BD. The bike I have current is a built Nassiki MTB that my buddy lone to me to get into riding. I now am ready to buy me a real BIKE. If I go with the 26" I can just swapt out the parts and up grade slowly. I can buy the 700cc just gonna need to buy new rims and tires think I can do that for about 125$ extra. I like building bike also, something about riding what u built thats fun.

I have a peice together MTB that I use as a my bike right now. I have been looking to buy me a new bike, one that will be MY bike. I've changed my mind about 5 to 6 times while looking. First I wanted the Cross check, then Moto fantom cross, then nashbar cross, then the tourist. Then me and my riding buddy realized that we dont need faster bikes, thats not what we do. We just want to cruse and ride, ride long. Well he has a 26" LHT, and it dawned on me why not just buy which is one if not the best Touring bike out their. The frame is about the same I was looking at paying for a whole new bike from BD. The bike I have current is a built Nassiki MTB that my buddy lone to me to get into riding. I now am ready to buy me a real BIKE. If I go with the 26" I can just swapt out the parts and up grade slowly. I can buy the 700cc just gonna need to buy new rims and tires think I can do that for about 125$ extra. I like building bike , something about riding what u built thats fun.

I bought the Windsor Tourist thinking I would upgrade it at a later date. My dream was to get the LHT down the road. Now that I have the Tourist, I really don't need another bike. I live in the MO Ozarks and thought I would change out the small chain ring...it being a 30. Well, I will not have to change a thing. My Tourist is all I will every need. I love the bike!

I spent way more than I planned on my LHT building it from the ground up. Having said that. . . worth every penny.

I spent way more than I planned on my LHT building it from the ground up. Having said that. . . worth every penny.

I have my Disc Trucker frame & parts all ready to assemble, between the Bilenky S & S couplers/repaint & my own selection of components (not super-fancy) it's running around $2,500. My dream bike was a Co-Motion Pangea (Rohloff/Gates) but twice the price & I'd be terrified about theft. Glad that pedalmanjwr likes his Windsor esp since Missouri is notorious for steep climbs. Actually I see a lot of local riders on BikesDirect bikes, they are great bargains. BTW Eddy Merckx rode a Windsor while setting the hour record in Mexico (well actually it was a re-labelled Colnago) but back in 70's Mexican-made Windsors were known for good quality & low price.

I have my Disc Trucker frame & parts all ready to assemble, between the Bilenky S & S couplers/repaint & my own selection of components (not super-fancy) it's running around $2,500. My dream bike was a Co-Motion Pangea (Rohloff/Gates) but twice the price & I'd be terrified about theft. Glad that pedalmanjwr likes his Windsor esp since Missouri is notorious for steep climbs. Actually I see a lot of local riders on BikesDirect bikes, they are great bargains. BTW Eddy Merckx rode a Windsor while setting the hour record in Mexico (well actually it was a re-labelled Colnago) but back in 70's Mexican-made Windsors were known for good quality & low price.

That doesn't seem terribly unreasonable given the s&s couplers. I don't doubt the Windsor is worth the money, but I very much desired a custom wheelset and higher level components that I can abuse a little. There's something nice about riding a tank. Then again, I'd like a mercier nano, because there's also something nice about riding a beater.

I bought the Windsor Tourist thinking I would upgrade it at a later date. My dream was to get the LHT down the road. Now that I have the Tourist, I really don't need another bike. I live in the MO Ozarks and thought I would change out the small chain ring...it being a 30. Well, I will not have to change a thing. My Tourist is all I will every need. I love the bike!

Congrats on the Tourist. I think you will be happy for a long time.

Like I mentioned before if you haven’t done it yet I would have the wheels and spokes gone over once by a good LBS that builds wheels. Other than that normal PM should do it. If you do find you need a bit more granny don’t be afraid to go to a 26t or 24t I’m running a 24 and the shifting is fine.

I like the Tourist price but the Surly is a Tank of a bike. I could buy just the 26" frame set and add my parts from my current bike to build it. Then up grade the trucker slowly to how I would like. The price would be close.

The Windsor is a great bike for those just starting into touring, has proven itself as a tourer and has a loyal following. The price point is met with lower end, yet reliable parts with the machine built wheelset usually needing attention (stress, retension and retrue). The LHT is a known and well liked platform and to what degree your mountain bike's parts transfer can only be determined during the build.

Brad

Why 26" wheels? Small frame size? "Expedition touring? If not, 700c might be prefeable. I have found it significantly more difficult to find suitable 26" tires than similar suitable 700c tires.

Sounds like you are limiting your shopping to those places which are primarily selling 700C stuff.

As owner of a FUJI Touring bike (exactly the same thing as a Windsor Tourist) These are strong chrome moly frames with a good level of Shimano brifters and derailleurs . Mine was from 2009 and had some machine built wheels with low spoke tension. I am in the camp that the Windsor is a GREAT bike for the money. I do not think the bikes are at the same price point and the LHT is extremely competitive (and attractive ) at it's higher price point.

Sounds like you are limiting your shopping to those places which are primarily selling 700C stuff.

I ride a big frame, and I have experience touring on 700c and 26" wheels and I just prefer 700c.