edtrek

I've just got my new LHT home - had QBP do most of the build, and my wonderful LBS (Ambridge Bike Shop, Pittsburgh PA) do the final work on it. I don't think I've done anything too different from what I've seen on here before, but I've definitely benefited from the info here and I'd like to contribute in case it's of some use.

I think the two things I was pleasantly surprised at was the gear combination (20/32/46 chainrings, 11/34 cassette) and how well a Wippermann Connexx chain matches the Surly utility blue. There's more details on this LHT at: https://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bi...ul-trucker.cfm but there's a partial build list and a few photos below.

Cheers,
Ed














FullSpeedAhead Threadless Headset
Profile Airstryke aero bars
Dimension Adjustable stem SM2082 (upper)
Nitto Noodle handlebar (upper)
Dimension stem (lower)



Hubs: XT 36-spoke, black Front & Rear
Spokes: DT 14 gauge, 4x pattern
Rims : DT Swiss TK7.1
Tires : 700C x 32C Panaracer Tserv. 95psi. Presta valves.

Brakes: XT Front & Rear BR-8342 - 8343
Cane Creek Road Brake Levers
Tektro RX 2.0 suicide brake levers
Quality Bicycle Products Travel Agents


Dimension seat post 27.2 ST-6633
Brooks B73 Saddle, with adaptor ST5303
Lights: Cateye TL-LD1000 rear, Alias HID front.
Computer: Cateye CC-CD300 wireless cadence backlit computer
Fenders: Planet Bike Hardcore (PE2502)
Pedals: Crank Bros. Candy's
Racks: Surly Nice Rack (front), Jannd Expedition Rack (rear)
Esge Pletscher bipod kickstand -

Drivetrain:
Wippermann Connex chain (blue) matches the Surly Utility Blue quite nicely.
White Industries 175 Crank permits a 20-tooth small chainring
Front chainrings: Salsa 20, Raceface 32 (sweet ramps), Salsa 46
Shimano Barend Shifting Levers (barcon shifters)
XT Rear Derailleur
Rear Cassette: 11/34 Deore LX : 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 23, 26, 30, 34.

Bike Weight: 32.3 pounds (frame, wheels, 2 racks, fenders, 2 handlebars, kickstand).
Total cost-of-build, one Surly Long Haul Trucker : $2597 (everything but the lights)

Robert_in_ca

Nice build, unique.

That chain is cool!

Is that a gererator on the rear chainstay?

edtrek

Hi Robert,
That's the dual sensor for the cadence/speedometer.
It's wireless, so the wedge with the small black arrow on it has to point in the direction of the display.
The problem is, there's only one place to put it, and it thwarts the spoke holders - which is OK with me, I'll carry them elsewhere.

savage24

Apparently, it is part of the computer:
https://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/251

Robert_in_ca

Interesting. Nice web page, I appreciate the time you put into it, lots of relevent info for my build. Thanks!

Did you consider the Mavic A719 rims? If so what made you chose the DT Swiss rims over them?

How do you like the AirStryke aero bars? Do they get in the way of the brake levers on the flats of the bars?

Are you planning on using a handlebar bag on that second stem?(still reading your webpage)

lubers

Really nice well thought out, has given me some ideas to apply to my bike which I was going to take in to get it set up for this coming season. Have you had a chance to get any riding in with that saddle? I'm still on the fence on wether or not to get a brooks saddle.

vik 

Nice bike. I hope you get many fun miles out of it.

One question why is the rear rack tilted back at an angle?

NoReg

So what is that sixteen inch gear like loaded on a hill? I can use all the help I can get, I just don't know I could stay upright!. I only seem to have any problems when shifting down into them under load.

It seems like after 27 inches, 29, 33, 38 seems like a better path, and it's all on the same chainring for ease of use. The concequence of going for the widest range I have ever seen is some big jumps like 18%. It will be interesting to hear a report back whether you see some double shifts as being beneficial given these jumps.

Bekologist

more "extreme" gearing advice from a self educated 'know it all." Just let the guy ride, it looks like he's looking to sit and spin comfortably.....maybe going for the transrockies on a rigid?

I do wonder about the rack being tilted so much, why is that? That's easy to remedy, Ed.

edtrek

Hi, Looking at it you're right that there were too many gears on the small chain ring. I'm still experimenting - it'll be a while before I've got it figured out. I'm reluctant to plan on more than a double-shift. Here's my Version1 and Version2 thoughts about effective gear sequence:




Today the windchill is 12F - and if I do ride (I'm dubious) I really can't ride a new bike today, if anything goes wrong (and it seems like things would go wrong on the first few rides) it's just not the right weather for roadside maintenance. The seat is just a stab in the dark for me - I've heard the Brooks reputation, and decided I'd have to find out for myself. I'll let you know.

The only reason is poor attention to detail on my part, and excitement to take a few pictures while the sun was poking through the overcast. I'll put it level where it should be.

I appreciate everybody's comments, on my short ride on the bike I was very pleased.

edtrek

I did consider the Mavic wheels, but (IIRC) the 319s not the 719s. The 319s are reportedly stronger, slightly heaver, lower price. The recommendation to use the DT Swiss came out of a discussion between the LBS and QBP; supply may have been an issue.

I love the flip-down aero bars, I have these on all three of my bikes now. I've rotated the Tektro brake levers down slightly and it seems to work well. I'm not an aero tuck guy, but I really appreciate relieving my hands for 5 minutes when conditions permit.

Yes, I think there's a handlebar bag, an AirZounds button, and a PlanetBike Alias HID going on the lower stem.

MrPolak

SWEEET, SWEEET, SWEEEEEET RIDE! Congrats!

NoReg

What a lifesaver! And the confident way you leave open the possibility of more advice, if only you're asked.

I don't mind pushing your buttons, but I seem to be pushing the wrong ones, or maybe it's bad wiring: I'm the last guy with the guns to bike the Rockies on a single speed, unless it's a sixteen inch gear. I'm the guy willing to drop the high gears, not the low ones. I'm seriously interested in how the lower gears work for our friend. Anyway, keep up with the zingers, it's the thought that counts.

Also my world is falling appart I found a dusty Phil Cassette hub, still expensive, but I may go that route. Imagine, 8 speeds! I know, I know it's outdated technology and I should keep my mouth shut!

edited by Moderators

edtrek

Hello All,

I appreciate everybody's comments, and everybody's wit. I think email and web postings tend to twist subtlety, nuance and humor into misunderstandings. But (if I may) I haven't seen anything wrong on this thread.

As far as the bike goes, I levelled the rear rack. I've got my 3 water bottle cages on order, and I'm trying to find one of my fav rack bags in stock locally - then I've got some panniers to hang, and the seat to break in. The seat feels good, I've set it a little bit low for the first few rides.

It does seem like the bottom bracket is lower on the LHT than usual, I could see how you might be more likely to get a heel strike while turning.

I'm thinking that I won't be able to get both my handlebar bag and my headlight on the current lower bar, so I may replace it with a wider bar - my LBS gave me a carbon fiber handlebar that was cracked slightly at one end, I may use it - it'll be the first CF item I've used, it seems a bit of a joke on my 32-pound bike. And if I do go with a new lower handlebar, I'll probably put bar-end lights in the ends for side visibility.

Probably a bento-box aft of the stem, above the top bar.

I also need to work out a kludge mount for my GPS on top of the aero bars - I saw a photo on BF of the same unit (Garmin 76CSX) held onto aero bars with a set of velcro wraps, that would be just the thing.

Bekologist

edited by Moderators

Nice bike, Ed. I like Long Haul Truckers. I think mine, unloaded, but with the tool kit and two front racks- long story- weighs in over 40 pounds, I'm amazed how light yours is. even with the super duper triple sprung Brooks....

Juha

OK, I cleaned up this thread a bit. Please keep it civil so I won't have to trash it. Thank you.

--Juha, a Forum Mod

brianmcg123

Wow. Sweet build. That thing could go anywhere.