Awesome to see Surly introducing a reasonably-priced tourer with discs. I have a 2008 Novara Randonneur which is OK but I like the Trucker's comfier frame geometry & lower gears...now with discs I'm ready to make the jump. Nice that Surly offers both frame & complete bike. Components on the complete bike seem pretty good although I priced things with the Disc Trucker frame + my selection of separate-order components & the price was very close. Sure wish the Disc Trucker offered the S & S coupler option though. I've thought about a Habanero titanium custom but w/couplers that means $1,000 more than a Disc Trucker complete (with Bilenky-installed S & S couplers).

Disc Trucker supposedly is Rohloff-ready, that's nice. One nice surprise is that the Disc Trucker price is barely more than the standard LHT. Talked to a couple local LBS today: one quoted $1600 for complete, the other said $1375 (vs std LHT @ $1275). Frame-only Disc Trucker $470...IIRC the same price I was quoted last year for LHT standard frame.

Disc Trucker available in 559 wheel size with ample room for fat tires. LHT (even w/same tires) will have a comfier ride than Novara Randonee so I'm not sure I'll need wider tires but it's sure nice to have that option. Local roads/paths vary from smooth to punishing. I've long wondered why most production tourers limit tire width esp in light of many tourists moving to mountain bikes. Back in the 80's I bought a Specialized Rockhopper & put drop bars on: nice smooth ride but the handling wasn't quite right.