metal_cowboy

I am trying to decide on my next bike. Either a Surly LHT or a Rivendell Atlantis. I have owned an Atlantis before, so I know all the advantages. I am facing a bit of a dilema, buy an Atlantis and outfit it for approxiamately $2400, or buy a LHT and outfit it for the price of the Atlantis frame.

I am 6'4" and 240lbs, so fit and comfort is a big concern. When I bought my Atlantis I did not heed the advise of Rivendell, and ended up buying the wrong size frame. My LBS do not carry the LHT, so I am stuck with the choice of taking a chance and buying one without the benefit of a test ride.

If any one is aroung the same height, and has a LHT, please let me know how it fits. For any one else that rides a LHT, I would like to hear your thoughts on the bike.

Buying the LHT would leave me with enought cash for racks and panniers, so I am hoping to hear some glowing reviews.

For those that are wondering, the Atlantis is an awesome bike.

Cyclist0094

If you didn't follow Rivendell's advise that means you probaly bought a frame too small, am I correct? Rivendell sizes frames the old way which often sizes frames a good inch taller than what most shops tell you these days.
Back in the 70's the first rule of thumb for sizing most bike frames was to subtract 10" from your inseam. that usually leaves you with about 5" of seat post sticking out and enough adjustment on most quill stems to bring the bring the bars up level with the saddle. The LHT goes up to 62cm or 24 1/2" adding 10" would mean it ideally fits someone with a 34 1/2" inseam. To go beyond that you have to raise the saddle and the stem. At 6'4 your inseam is probaly around 36" so you may need a steep stem angle or enough steering tube length to raise the bars another 2.0 inches. The top tube on the 62cm is 60 cm(I think) or about 23 5/8" that will probaly work if your sleeve length is under 36 ". depending on your preferred posture you may need a stem as long as 150mm. ( To measure sleeve length: place a tape measure at the base of your neck / top of back. Start at the base of neck, travel tape measure down to middle of shoulder, and then down to your wrist bone)

Here is an example of a bike sized the old way. This is a frame and assembly I built this spring I have a 34.5" inseam The frame is 24" so it is a little short at the seat tube (longest 531 seat tube I had) but the top tube slopes up 1/2" to the head tube making it effectively a 25" frame. I have a bad back( 2 surgeries) so I no longer ride drops.

EmmCeeBee

This is a glowing review of the LHT -- although partly second-hand (from my wife). I built up an LHT for her in June; three weeks ago we returned from a 10-week tour of the Canadian Rockies. As the builder and the mechanic of the couple, I was always tuned to any little problems or needed adjustments, any complaints or weak spots in the design. There weren't any. The first day, my wife said "I'm actually going to ENJOY this tour!". And she did! (On the whole -- weather and 12% grades aside.)

For her to go 2800 miles without any bike-related problems says a lot! After two previous tours on a different bike, it took a couple weeks for the complaints to die down. (On the LHT, the only bike-related issue was the seat, but we're still looking...)

About 10 months ago I posted here that I'd go with the Trek 520 if I was looking for a new, stock touring bike -- cost, proven frame, availability. Somebody else mentioned the LHT, which I didn't know anything about, it hadn't been out more than a year. So I started researching. The biggest drawback is not being able to test ride it or even find a bike for fitting. I took all the measurements, researched specs on other makes, compared Surly's frame specs. Eventually wrote to Surly for advice, and they were very helpful. All things considered, we took their advice on frame size, which turned out to be perfect for her (50cm).

I can't comment on ride quality, but I know the bike is well-built and perfectly suited to touring. My wife had no issues with twitchiness or stability. Her other bike gave her problems with shimmy; the LHT rides rock-steady. In 2800 miles, we probably did about 60 miles on fresh chipseal, gravel, some dirt, washboards; and many miles on choppy pavement. I believe that's a good test for a touring bike under load -- if it can take that and not give handling problems. That's a test of geometry mainly, and build quality to a degree.

The rest of the story revolves around components: wheels, brakes, shifters, derailleurs, even handlebar width. That's where the LHT takes the cake. Most complaints you hear about a bike are about the components. With a stock bike, you'll want to swap out chainrings, rims, etc., until you get the right gear range, good shifting, etc. For the LHT, you choose 'em; you choose right, you got nothing to complain about.

The only negative comment I have about the LHT is about the placement of the front eyelets. There are two: one forward of the dropout, one aft. But if you put (standard) fenders and a (standard) low-rider front rack, they BOTH have to mount on the aft eyelet. (So the eyelet holds two fender struts plus the rack plate -- very weak attachment.) Some bikes have two eyelets aft of the dropout, which is better for this setup. One solution is to find different fender or rack designs, but the "standard" ones are cheaper and more available.

Can't help you on frame size selection. But take all your measurements and crosscheck them with the Surly specs. You should be able to narrow it down to two choices. If some of the bike fitting stuff seems like voodoo, there's a lot of helpful websites that can make some sense out of it -- just google.

So.... I suggest two things: 1) If you like to pick out your own components and you know which ones you'd like to take into the boondocks, get the LHT so you can. 2) Write to Surly with your measurements and ask their advice. Their response isn't "bible", but you can give it some weight in your decision.

-- Mark

halfbiked

I have about 5 miles on a borrowed LHT. My g/fs co-worker loaned us a couple bikes when we missed the train one night. Anyhow, it felt great to me right off the bat. He has it setup with moustache bars & a brooks saddle. I'm about 6'4 with a 36" inseam. This was a 60cm frame.

metal_cowboy

Thanks for the feedback. I decided to go with the LHT. I had great help from Gene at Spicer Cycles. He was very helpful in recomending components and is installing my headset at no charge. Support your LBS, but if they cant get what you want, check with Spicer.

For anyone thinking about ordering a Rivendell bike: heed their sizing advice. I orginally ordered a 64cm frame, which in reality is a 62cm. They suggested I buy a 66cm frame and they were right, and I had to send my beloved atlantis off to a stranger. Boo Hoo!

EmmCeeBee

Good choice!

Don't let him cut the steerer tube unless you're absolutely sure what stack height you want!!! One of the frequent complaints on this board is that the steerer tube on stock bikes is cut too short, leaving the handlebars too low -- for touring, it makes sense to keep 'em up high.

Unless you're absolutely certain on height, leave it till you dial in your preference. Then get your LBS to cut it for you (or even do it yourself....)

What frame size did you order?

-- Mark

metal_cowboy

I went with the 62cm frame size. The 62cm LHT has the same top tube measurement as my Rivendell Redwood, so the fit should be right on.

Gene at spicer had the same recomendation that you had concerning not cutting the steerer tube until I get the fit dialed in. I am jazzed about the bike. It looks like I should be coming in around $1200 for the complete bike. Looks like next week I should be getting to know my UPS guy real well!

oknups

Nice looking bicycle any chance of more pics or links to them?

markw

Here's my 62cm with an uncut stem. I have 1 spacer above the stem, I'm 6'2" with a 91cm inseam.
Great bike, not sure if I'm going to keep it or not. Just bought a Bacchetta recumbent. Wife says a bike has to go, I'll probably hang on to the LHT though, it's too practical. Give it a Lumotec/SON front hub and it'll be done.

https://www.wolfenet.org/gallery2/mai...g2_itemId=2657