Seeking opinions between two bikes
09-25-17, 07:51 AM
#26
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The surly is heavy and slow? I've never understood why people feel the need to ding surlys. It is designed as a fairly rugged touring bike and it weighs right around what a fairly rugged touring bike made of chrome moly steel should. The rest is up to the rider who may be slow or may be fast.
As much as the Surly LHT is steel with a vague aesthetic sort of "vintage" style- there's a tendency to conflate steel with "vintage." An old tourer is going to be more heavy and "slow" compared to a race bike of the same vintage. However, modern tourers are going to be heavier and and less lively than old tourers. They're focused on being robust, not so much "grand."
Many people have gone into LHTs thinking "it's a steel bike- I got this" and realizing it's more "stout" than they bargained for.
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"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
09-25-17, 08:11 AM
#27
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I don't think it's a "ding" on Surlys- it just is.
As much as the Surly LHT is steel with a vague aesthetic sort of "vintage" style- there's a tendency to conflate steel with "vintage." An old tourer is going to be more heavy and "slow" compared to a race bike of the same vintage. However, modern tourers are going to be heavier and and less lively than old tourers. They're focused on being robust, not so much "grand."
Many people have gone into LHTs thinking "it's a steel bike- I got this" and realizing it's more "stout" than they bargained for.
As much as the Surly LHT is steel with a vague aesthetic sort of "vintage" style- there's a tendency to conflate steel with "vintage." An old tourer is going to be more heavy and "slow" compared to a race bike of the same vintage. However, modern tourers are going to be heavier and and less lively than old tourers. They're focused on being robust, not so much "grand."
Many people have gone into LHTs thinking "it's a steel bike- I got this" and realizing it's more "stout" than they bargained for.
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09-25-17, 08:25 AM
#28
Senior Member
If you're going to get a surly I'd hold out for the disc brake version...this one is a bit pedestrian. The miyata looks nice but in the end they'll end up as frames adorned with whatever components you choose.
09-25-17, 08:29 AM
#29
Senior Member
Yeah, 32c or 1 1/4" wide tires were standard for touring in the 80s. The 1000 will fit these easily, and you can go a little wider. FWIW, the frames are surprisingly sprightly. If you put race type parts on them, you'd be hard pressed to tell it from a good road bike of the period.
09-25-17, 11:21 AM
#30
aka: Dr. Cannondale
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FWIW, this '88 ST build weighed 22 pounds with the rack and pedals, 9 speed triple with rather heavy duty Vittoria Rando wire 32's.
Worked great, I used it on the C&O/GAP trip from DC to Pgh in 2014, 265 miles on gravel trails. Guy I sold it to uses it for camping bike trips, still running strong years later.
My current ST, weighs right around 20 pounds without a rack and with lighter Vittoria Rubino Pro III 25's. Compact double and 11-34 ten speed cassette, gets around 1400 miles/year of use (pic is not completely current, does not show larger cassette or Deore RD):
My '87 Voyageur, totally stock but refurbished so still 6 speed triple Deore, with the rack and pedals, was 26 pounds. Not as light was the ST's but a comfortable all-day rider:
Unless you intend to do a lot of super heavy loaded touring with two sets of panniers, the Surly is probably heavy overkill for you. But for credit card, light camping, or overnight tours, almost anything in the category will do a fine job.
I especially like that Miyata 1000, partly because it comes from an exceptional seller.
Worked great, I used it on the C&O/GAP trip from DC to Pgh in 2014, 265 miles on gravel trails. Guy I sold it to uses it for camping bike trips, still running strong years later.
My current ST, weighs right around 20 pounds without a rack and with lighter Vittoria Rubino Pro III 25's. Compact double and 11-34 ten speed cassette, gets around 1400 miles/year of use (pic is not completely current, does not show larger cassette or Deore RD):
My '87 Voyageur, totally stock but refurbished so still 6 speed triple Deore, with the rack and pedals, was 26 pounds. Not as light was the ST's but a comfortable all-day rider:
Unless you intend to do a lot of super heavy loaded touring with two sets of panniers, the Surly is probably heavy overkill for you. But for credit card, light camping, or overnight tours, almost anything in the category will do a fine job.
I especially like that Miyata 1000, partly because it comes from an exceptional seller.
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09-25-17, 01:52 PM
#31
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it's a Miyata 1000. way better build than a surly, and lugged and it is blue and it is Miyata (I am a fan)
if in doubt my vote is Miyata
if in doubt my vote is Miyata
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
09-25-17, 01:55 PM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm going with the Miyata, I've got a nice Brooks for it. I'll decide later on everything else. I know I want Aero levers with barend shifters and wider tires. I think it will be a perfect bike for my needs and wants.
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09-25-17, 01:57 PM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
And a big thanks for all the replies.
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09-25-17, 02:33 PM
#34
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You made the right choice. If you went with the LHT, you would later be looking for that Miyata or a 720 or ... I doubt that you will ever look for a LHT now that you have that Miyata.
09-25-17, 06:50 PM
#36
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Couldn't have really gone wrong either way!
09-25-17, 07:13 PM
#37
Senior Member
Good choice. If you end up going the surly or other modern route you should get in the deep end with the whole gamut of modern bike conveniences. Two canti frames and id go for the vintage one.
