Originally Posted by
ColonelSanders
Thank you for taking the time to write out such a comprehensive response.
As I have mentioned to a few of the guys who responded, I am leaning more to the Troll, especially with the look of the new Troll. The versatility of that frame and fork is incredible, it will truly make it a frame I can use for a lifetime.
Just some random thoughts on my part now, to better help you understand where I am coming from:
- I won't be doing the build for probably 6 months
- It will be a flat bar handlebar build
- It will be with rim brakes, hence why I was also looking at the LHT
- I'll be using the bike as a commuter, grocery getter and back up bike, rather than a tourer.
- I'm thinking of using two sets of Monkey Nuts on the Troll to extend the chainstay length from 425 to 445mm.
- I've already purchased 2" Marathon Mondial tyres, so at least this way I can compare to my Giant Toughroad SLR 2 which also has 2" Marathon Mondial tyres, albeit those of the 29'er variety.
- I am a Super Clyde, so I like wider tyres and strong bikes
Do you have any thoughts in particular about the bracing and gusseting on the Troll and how that fits into the picture in any comparison vs the LHT?
your welcome, no problem.
As for thoughts on the bracing etc, I have no clue. I only weigh 135 soaking wet, and maybe carried 55lbs or so
MAX of stuff, so all that adds up to a somewhat average bigish guy, so in other words, I dont stress a frame that much.
given your intended use, two monkey nuts can possibly have issues with how well the rd works, I think I read that somewhere, but not 100% sure. I have 1 set on the bike.
To put things in perspective, my recent riding partner who weighs probably twice my weight, and was carrying probably another 20 or 30lbs more than me, rides a Trek 4500 mountain bike, and with the proper wheelset, has been working great carrying a hell of a lot more than my bike does--and its aluminum--so to say that for your intended use, perhaps other options would be perfectly fine also.
Going from his situation, it seems to me that a really robust wheelset is more important than the frame material.
Have fun researching stuff.