iforgotmename

Since the announcement of the 26in wheels for all sizes of the LHT by Surly I have been waiting. I periodically called Surly and also had my LBS watching. My LBS (who is shutting their doors at the end of the month)is not a dealer so they were not able to get one from their supplier. Yesterday I did my Surly call to find out that there was only ONE left. I callked the dealer across town and went there today to order/check out my fit on a 56 and 58 in stock...700cc. Well as luck would have it I am the proud orderer of the last 56/26 LHT in the world. The only problem is that the only color available is blue as of now, truccachino is definitely gone and black won't be available for some time according to Surly. Looks like I am off to the powdercoaterand soon to be th proud owner of a LHT At least I will have it for my Feb. tour, thanks for reading.

Jay D

Awesome, but what's wrong with the color blue?

awesomejack

um, what? if its the last one in the world, how are any other colors EVER going to be available?

I might be missing the point.... but you say that the future LHT's will have 26in wheels, so how is this the last one?

iforgotmename

Ok...it might not be the last but the current batch is gone. I was being a bit tongue in cheek Surly told me that size went really fast, it was the last one in stock. I would assume that the 26/56 will go fast due to 700/56 toe overlap. It's just that I have been waiting for this size and the first shipment they received went very fast. So as far as availability it may very well indeed be the last one And as for blue, I have no problem with it. I like earthy colors that blend in well when stealth camping.

nahh

so, just out of curiosity, why 26in? I actually ride a 26" road bike...just cause it's what I have.

iforgotmename

Toe overlap was a concern as was wheel strength. A big part of my decision was my handbuilt 26" velocity cliffhangers with XT hub wheelset. I had them built for my hardtail/tourer/commuter/grocery getter conversion, the only bike that I have. The wheels are bombproof , I have wtb dirtdrops on it and I ride it on and off road. I was going to buy a 700 LHT before the 26 was in my size anyways. So for about $600-700 less I have my LHT, and more money for the casseroll single speed that I want.

Bianchigirll 

toe overlap? OY are you doing trials or very fast technical mountainbiking? because of my penchant for 172.5 cranks and foot position on my pedals I think most of my bikes have a few MM of toe/lap, but I would say I only notice it once every 20 rides. even then the only time I may notice it is when I meet some one the sidewalk on the way to my front door (in the complex)

be honest you wanted it because it was different plain and simple *giggle*

LeeG

once you stick fenders on a big tire the overlap isn't a few mm. and the place your toe hits often is the strut support for the fender. I find it's more noticable than regular road bikes where there's less stop/start riding and road shoes have smaller toe boxes. With a touring bike with big tires and fenders that is also used for an around town bike it becomes a common occurence starting off from a curb or stop.

iforgotmename

Different is cool, but honestly the dog told me to do it He is my riding buddy, we go out at least every other day...at his pace of course.

CCrew

Glad you got your bike, but your LBS doesn't sound on the up and up. Surly is owned by QBP and there are no "dealerships". You just have to have a QBP account, which few bike shops *don't* have.

Maybe that's why they're closing

iforgotmename

When they checked their supplier they said that they couldn't find one in 26" wheels. I hope that's the truth.They have another shop across town...that's where I called for the order. They are great guys and have really taken care of me, but the shop listed on surly's dealer are also reall cool. My lbs's other shop is around 30 miles away and the one that got me the frame are only 5 or 6 miles further. They even want me to bring it back after the build just to check it out. I am not really sure which shop to go with We have another closer lbs but they are more of the box store type.