Originally Posted by
Rob_E
I will say that I switched from a Long Haul Trucker to my Troll. They are larger sizes, so the handling comparisons might not be applicable. I actually like the handling of the Trucker. It's steady and solid. It's also sluggish and likes to go in a straight line. But I am also sluggish and like straight lines, so we got along fine. Troll is definitely more nimble. Feels a lot more lively. One thing I was worried about when switching bikes is that I would not like the handling as much, but I ended up liking it more.
thanks for the comments about comparing the handling. For me this is very much a plus for the Troll. I personally really like a more flickable and lively bike--yes, I know when we throw a bunch of bags with junk in them on a bike its never going to be nimble, but I really like to hear opinions from someone who has ridden both, and clearly shows the differences in their handling.
My late 90s rockhopper comp is nimble and quick handling. I've commuted on it for ages, and like how its fast steering gets me around potholes and errant cars in a major city. I've also toured on it with the riser bars, and although I've only toured on it with rear panniers and a handlebar bag, I like how it keeps some of that nimbleness even with 25lbs on it.
Not to mention, I figure in the life of an "expedition" bike, it will still be used a good amount with no load or a light one, ie daily use, so I appreciate a bike to be fun and not "sluggish and likes to go in a straight line".
again, thanks for the direct comparison.