Originally Posted by
LeeG
Just going from my experience riding a 56cm LHT with 700c wheels for a year, a 56cm CrossCheck for four years and a 56cm LHT with 26" wheels for three. The LHT is a stellar load carrier for the money, hands down But the two LHTs do not handle alike. I can pick a precise course though obstacles with the CrossCheck and the 26" wheeled LHT. Loaded down the CrossCheck gets wobbly but the LHT doesn't. With the 700c LHT loaded or unloaded tight quarter handling is slow like driving a bus. Loaded or unloaded when I try to weave around obstacles I overshoot as though the bike is much longer even though it's got a shorter wheelbase than the 26" wheel LHT.
no idea if the larger LHT have as distinct a difference between 26" and 700c version.
I haven't ridden the 700C LHT. Sounds to me that the 26" would be okay, based on your experience and mine. Maybe reasonable to nix 700C if it's really that much more sluggish. I also have a Cross-Check, haven't really loaded it up but the thought doesn't inspire confidence. I think that Surly should never have started putting mid-fork rack mounts on the C-C fork, but that's just my opinion. Really misleads people as to the best use of that bike.