JWK

I'm looking to replace my LHT with a better all around bike. The Space Horse seems like it might be a nice, lighter weight version of the Trucker. A bit more responsive, a bit less "truck-like", more fun to ride unloaded, etc. I want to use this bike for all my riding, which is typically 30 - 50 mile rides, and I hope to do some centuries and a 200k by the end of summer. I've thought of getting a lighter wheelset and lighter, smaller tires for my LHT, but that's a pretty good chunk of change for me. Then again, so is a new frameset! A HA HA HA!!! Maybe I just want a new bike! No, that's probably not it...

Just looking to see if anyone has gone this route and what their impressions are.

52telecaster

I have a space horse. I worked in a shop that sold the trucker. I have moved the trucker around the shop and ridden it in the parking lot a bit. My take is that the all city is lighter and more responsive but it is more of a touring bike than most folks give it credit for. I am 200 lbs minimum and the space trucker takes my weight and a good 40 lbs of baggage without noticing at all. it also is very pretty.....

Crawdaddy

Like asking me whats the best flavor of Ben and Jerrys ice cream. If I had the space Id have one of each Surly models.

UDFA

What is the actual difference in weights between the framesets?

GerryinHouston

The LHT has a triple chainring while the Space Horse has a double. A dealbreaker in my book...

If you want the brifters, try a Bianchi Volpe. Triple in the front, brifters and more 'responsive' than my Randonee (which is closer to the LHT)

VictorKnox

Unfortunately I can't answer the question, but I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I've been riding a Long Haul Trucker for a year, and just sold the frameset so I can buy a Space Horse frameset. The LHT was just too heavy and overbuilt for daily commuting, which is my primary use for the bike. I think the Space Horse will be much more fun as an every day rider based on what I've read. Are you going for the disc or rim brake model? I'm planning to pick up a rim brake frame because that's what I have the parts for.

JWK

I should have state that I'm buying a frameset and building it up myself. I have almost all the components already from other bikes.

JWK

If I go this direction, I will get the rim brake model. I've got a disc LHT and I just think it's overkill for my use. I would rather go to a lighter, more compliant fork at this point.

If I went with something with discs, I would go with a carbon frame with thru axles front and rear. I still might do this. I'm considering the space horse with rim brakes or a modern gravel type carbon framed bike. I don't like the in-between bikes like my Surly. Some of the carbon gravel bikes have perfect geometry for what I'm desiring, almost exactly like the space horse. As far as I can see, a lot of gravel bikes have classic sport touring geometry along with the ability to put pretty fat tires on them, unlike sport tourers back in the day. However, so far the carbon framed gravel bikes for the most part do not have the ability to install racks, so you kind of have to decide whether you want to go bike packing or more traditional touring.

Of course, if I buy a carbon gravel bike, you know in a couple of years everyone will start making them to take racks front and rear, and then I'll be really pissed off. So maybe I should just get the space horse and be the retro grouch that I am.

ColonelSanders

I'm someone considering building up a LHT frame, so I am keen to hear more about how being too heavy and overbuilt manifested itself when you were riding it.

The LHT frame is 2.27kgs, which isn't much heavier than many other steel framed bikes that are within a similar price point.

Are you sure it was the frame that was the problem and not a heavy wheelset and tyres combo?

VictorKnox

I'm sure. I swapped all of the parts (including the wheels and tires) that were on the Trucker on to a mid-90's Schwinn Clear Creek that has been my daily driver for the last few weeks. Before that, I was riding the LHT everyday. I don't mean to sound overly dramatic, but the LHT was making me hate riding to work everyday. It is the only bike that has ever made me feel that way. The Clear Creek feels lighter/quicker and is much more fun to ride, and it's just a low-level chromoly main triangle/hi-ten stays frameset. The LHT was slow to accelerate, ponderous to maneuver, and felt like I was carrying lead weights at every hill. I get what your saying, that the difference on paper doesn't seem like much. I would have agreed with you before I bought mine.

Mr IGH

I've had my fill of over-built QBP frames, they're made to avoid warranty events without any concern for ride quality. I just built up a Soma Fog Cutter, couldn't be happier. Same ride quality as my 1978 531 frame (same weight too) and disc brakes ('cause I wanted a disc brake road bike). If you don't want disc brakes, check out the Soma ES, it's the same as the Fog Cutter ride-wise but only takes 32mm tyres, Fog Cutter takes 38mm tyres.

fietsbob

N+1, then you have 2 bikes. Like having more than 1 pair of shoes.. they each have purposes.

LHT is made to haul a touring (or Grocery shopping) Load in 4 panniers. they do that well.

JWK

I just realized I never answered your question.

I'm going for the rim brake frame. I don't have any rim brakes, but I'm trying to get that feeling and response back that I knew back in the day from riding traditional steel frames. The Surly doesn't have it. I'm sure part of it is the heavy tubeset, but I think a significant part is how beefed up the fork has to be to handle the disc brakes. Just my armchair analysis, deduction, guesswork, etc. Anyway, if I get the space horse, I'm going for the rim brake frame and building up my own wheels. If all that doesn't work, then I'll know for sure that I'm just a sucky rider who can't tell crap from good. Got no good grammar, neither.

VictorKnox

I ordered my Space Horse frameset today: 58cm, green and white. Just so you know, they don't have a lot left, and the cantilever model has been discontinued...

Should be here this week. Hopefully I'll have time next weekend to build it up.

JWK

Why do you think all QBP frames are over-built? Do you know this for certain about the space horse frame? I ask because most people (who I don't know - I realize this) report the ride being lively like a sport touring bike like you describe your fog cutter.

I looked into the fog cutter. Same geometry as my LHT. Short stack and long reach. I'd like to have my bars up without needing at least 40mm - 50mm of spacers on the head tube, and I'm not even talking level with my seat. Just higher than your typical road racing position.

I thought Soma was part of QBP. I guess not.

Mr IGH

I agree, Fog Cutter stack is OK, not as much as a Vaya or Soma Saga (I have a Saga too). I'm running 36mm of spacers but I'm resigned to my Freddly ways. These days it seems as if everything is stretched out to avoid toe overlap. Even my old Austro-Daimler from 1978 has a long TT.

When I was younger I ran a 120mm stem. Now, three decades later, on the same frame I run a 70mm stem and it's jacked up an extra 30mm. There's a reason why Nitto sells a 1" steerer stem with 220mm of extension. All us old farts wanna ride our vintage steel frames but our beer belly is getting in the way

How much does a 61cm Space Horse weight? I get the idea it's at least 5lbs. Fog Cutter and ES 61cm weighs 4.25lbs, that means the tubing is thinner iff the SH is 5lbs. Interesting and fun fact, my 1978 Austro-Daimler, full 531 tubing, 64cm, (approx same stack/reach as a 61cm Soma) weighs....4.25lbs. Fog Cutter's Carbon Fiber fork with fender eyelets is helpful with ride quality too.

Rumor is QBP and Soma steel frames are made by the same Taiwanese factory, no idea if it's true. Vaya and Saga are twins wrt geometry.