Ok for all of you Surly Long Haul Truckers
 

You love your bike right? I have paid my down payment on a Bianchi Axis Cyclocross bike, but I keep seeing Long Haul Truckers on this site. They must be sweet right?

How heavy are they? And I mean bare-naked not fully loaded like I have seen so many. Help me! I am again on the fence!!!

Yup, it does seem to be popular! I too was looking at the Bianchi (Volpe) but went with the Long Haul Trucker, though largely due to my size as I wanted the strength and length it has. Rode them both at Harris and the LHT just felt much better to me. Definitely love it so far!

As for weight...ain't never seen it naked so not sure. Certainly not weighed in ounces, but then again neither am I ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/...f285b2.jpg?v=0

Only additions to mine are Honjo fenders, and MKS toe clips/VO straps. I'd say it weighs in the range of 25-27lbs. It's not so bad, the gearing is plenty low for most anything.
And, yes. It is sweet.
-Gene-

Well Kens6161, the LHT definetly ain't light. But it rides smooth and true. I didn't get a chance to test the Bianchi Volpe (wasn't in my size at the shop), but it felt a lot lighter then my LHT when I picked it up to take it off the rack.

well thanks for the posts guys and gals! I think I am going to stick with the Bianchi Axis I originally had planned on! Thanks again!

Weight info here:
http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html

5.15lbs for the 58cm frame, 2.25lbs for the stock uncut fork.

2,242g for a 2006 50cm naked frameset, without seatpost clamp (+62g) or any fasteners (after treatment with linseed oil).

Let's say 5 lbs.

I just weighed her... 11kg (24lb)

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...album/all2.jpg

Your chain looks way too short.

I almost went with the LHT, but I favored the brifters on the Casseroll, and it was likely that in my size I'd have to get the 26" wheels.

Well spotted. Yes, it's way too short as it came off a road bike with next to no gap between its seat tube and its 700x23 tire. I'll be replacing it this week. In the meantime I'm not using my large chainring.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...9f941c41e1.jpg

I have surly racks to put on the front and back and it is kinda heavy, at least 25lbs, but it rides like a Cadillac

Yes.
I do love mine.

If weight is a concern, I don't think you really want a LHT. They aren't light. They are designed to carry heavy loads, and I don't think surly really considered shaving weight when making the LHT. It does ride really smoothly though. Mine weighs in at about 28-29lbs with a brooks champion flyer, fenders, front and rear racks.

And since we're posting photos....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67...o/bikefull.jpg

Now I'm curious. How much does a Bianchi Axis Cyclocross bike weigh?

I've got an '07 axis, size 55, triple crank, and set up with the dirt wheels it's about 22 lbs. It's not particularly light, but it's gotta be a few pounds lighter than an LHT.

Yeah the 09 I am looking at I would say is 20-22 lbs. So not too much less than the LHT. But I don't think I would be a fan of the bar-end shifters. But hey, thats just me.

I'm kind of a vintage guy (my car is a '69!) and my road bikes still had downtube shifters and I test rode a cross check with the bar end shifters. I was all ok with that. Then I got the Axis and I will never go back to bikes with downtube or barend shifters again. "brifters" are the best bike advancement ever.

Attachment 102524

My LHT weighs in at about 26 lbs without panniers or rider. It's a bit heavy, yes, but I'm still able to maintain 16-20 mph on flat ground without too much effort. That's fast enough for my purposes, and it's a nice, comfortable ride, sort of like being in an old Buick.

I really like the bar-end shifters, too, especially in friction mode. They're pretty easy to use, and I kind of got tired of tweaking the indexed gears all the time. (And BTW, the very idea of indexing the front derailleur in any circumstances has always seemed kind of silly, IMO...)

Axis and LHT
obviously 2 totally different bikes
Axis a CX bike
LHT obvious for Touring

I'd pick an Axis if you were inclined to mostly be the messenger bag commuter type
maybe every so often a rear rack, and maybe a light grocery run
not saying that a CX bike is not a viable choice for hauling duties

the LHT obvious for Touring
its niche is loaded

LHT not so much for run ups
Axis all about run ups

LHT with a low BB, and a front end to handle lowrider racks
Axis with a higher BB, and a front end that is more a tuned to quick handling. not really sure how panniers up front would feel...

Quick question, what handlebars are those? Are they just drops from a funky angle, or are they something cooler and more mysterious?

They look like the stock bars.
-Gene-

I never thought I'd love a bike as much as I love my LHT. :love:

Also tested a Bianchi Volpe and I felt much more comfy with the Surly.

I'm a 110 percent sure I made the right decision.

Ayup just stock bars rolled back a wee bit, though being a big guy I'm thinking of getting some nice wide nitto noodles for it.

As for weight, I got plenty to lose before I worry too much about it...though I would like to add a stripped down nimble(er) bike to the pack. I'll get a nimble bike when I'm more nimble. I like that people say it rides like a caddy, smooth and true. Since I drive a Dodge Magnum I guess I'm sticking with a theme here :D

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1241570766

Nuff Said

Love your LHT Joey.
What size is it? What size tires and what fenders?

Yea that thing rocks!