Originally Posted by
Rob_E
If you're really going off the beaten path, then I wouldn't choose a Long Haul Trucker. I have one that I have loved riding, but I've recently switched over to Troll in hopes of tackling a larger variety of terrain. I have never been crazy about how it feels on gravel (some people have no issues with how their LHT feels on gravel, but I don't find mine comfortable), and I feel like I have to pick my way pretty carefully if I take it entirely off road. The low bottom bracket may also not be ideal for true off-roading, although I doubt it will be a problem on gravel. I'm sure other LHT owners will chime in if they agree/disagree, but I think my LHT has been a great pavement bike, but if I wanted to get away from pavement, I'd choose something else (and I did).
The Troll looks like an interesting option. When I say off the beaten path, I don't mean trails or off road as much as more remote areas. Some of the areas I've backpacked in Costa Rica have decent roads, but services are few and far between. That said, the Troll may work well. There will definitely be long stretches of dirt and gravel involved.
Originally Posted by
Rob_E
As for shifters, it sounds like you have a preference, and there's no reason not to indulge it. But I will say that when I have run trekking bars, they have put me in a more upright position. That was a positive for me, because I'm not a drop bar fan, but it does mean that it puts a little distance between my hands and the downtube shifters. For the brief period of time that I had both trekking bars and a downtube shift lever, I did not find it terribly convenient. I didn't find it horribly inconvenient, either, but it did seem that the downtube shifters were more optimal for a more traditional riding position. I now run a hub gear with the shifter on my bars, and I find that I prefer being able to shift without my hand leaving the bars.
I do like the downtube shifters, but realize there may be better options. I had the dura ace shifters on my Fuji Connoiseur, but just switched to 105 brifters which left these as spares. I like the bar ends on my Jamis and will have to think hard about this.