Originally Posted by
AlexReynolds
Therefore, I am looking at three steel bikes/frames that would be used both for touring (~50-100/mi per day) and commuting (hills, ~5-10 mi/day):
- Jamis Aurora Elite
- Velo Orange Rando
- Surly Long Haul Trucker
I'd like to build up a new bike, but I don't know much about frames and the added expense means I want to make sure I make the right decision up-front.
So my question is what your experiences have been with using bikes built from the VO or Surly frames is like, or the pre-built Aurora Elite. If you ride these bikes, what are your experiences like?
My opposition to the Surly is that the size of frame I would get (53cm) only takes 26" wheels. The 26" wheels I have seen on a LHT look tiny, and make it look like a children's bicycle, compared with 700c wheels. I'd prefer to ride on 700c wheels. Otherwise, the price seems okay.
I'd choose a 26" wheeled bike for touring over a 700C any day...and I ride a much larger frame than you do. Don't worry that they 'make it look like a children's bicycle'. The 26" wheel is a far stronger wheel than a 700C. It's ideal for carrying loads and abusing. That's why Surly started offering the 26" wheel in larger sizes. Think strength and utility rather than cosmetics.
The Surly LHT is one of the best production touring bikes being made today. There are others that are better but none can match the price.
If you were going to go with something like the Rando, I'd suggest a
Bruce Gordon BLT frame for the same price. The Rando lacks the braze-ons for racks which the Gordon has in abundance. The build is going to be more expensive than the LHT but you'll have something unique.
There's also the
Soma Saga. Frame price about what the Surly is but not quite, in my opinion, as good as the Surly. It's close but not quite as good.