E_merlin

I posted this in the Touring forum, but thought I would post it here as it does have a vintage element and I frequent here more often and very much want and respect the opinion of you all.

So - I have a LHT that I have spent a few thousand miles on. I really like the bike but.... I have yet to tour on it and am looking for something a bit sportier for brevet or century riding. FWIW - I also have a mint '85 Trek 620 sitting in the wings ready to be put into service. The LHT and the 620 would fit the same purpose. I do love the LHT, but I just want something a bit more spry

So - I am interested the 2011 Casseroll, it seems to fit the bill and I like the looks. I was thinking about purchasing frame only and moving the parts over from the Trucker which is all XT. The trucker is 26" wheels so that won't work, but what about the other parts? Can I transfer everything else over? I think the seat post is the same as well?

The complete bike is like 1199 and the frame is 549 - before any good guy discounts :-). I wonder what my LBS would charge to do the work.

Any thoughts would be appreciated - also any other bikes I should consider in this price range? Wish I had the cash for a Riv Hilson.... or the like. I wish a Paramount P-15 would show up for a song... Would I be making a poor decision to make the switch?

Cheers

illwafer

imo frames are slightly overrated. you may save 1lb at the most.

remove anything unnecessary (rear rack) and get some sportier tires. save yourself some cash.

edit: i missed the part about the 620. why don't you just ride that?

E_merlin

I guess I assumed the 620 would ride much like the LHT with the long rear end and wheel base.

ColonelJLloyd 

Does the 620 have cantilevers? I don't think the 620 could be anything but more spry than the LHT.

E_merlin

yes cantilevers - here is pic

ColonelJLloyd 

Sell the 620 and buy something that does what you're wanting to do well. Or, for that matter, sell the LHT. Nice job, by the way!

noglider 

Buy yourself a nice Raleigh Super Course or maybe an old racing bike. Keep your LHT. Whatever you get, put on lightweight rims and some very good tires.

Dean7

Dude the tires you have on that LHT are huge. I'd try something with less rolling resistance personally before I just gave up on the bike.

davehbuffalo

This.

That's a sweet LHT.

davehbuffalo

But keep the awesome 620 too.

KonAaron Snake 

Anything is more spry than the lht. I agree with col, use the trek.

E_merlin

I have been thinking that may be a nice option as well - or an international :-)

E_merlin

Thanks for all the replies. I am surprised to see the recommendations on 620 as a brevet bike. I really believed it would have a touring bike type ride, but I must say I have not put enough miles on it to really know.

The MAX

The LHT is pretty heavy duty compared to some of the older touring bikes with reynolds tubing etc. I have an LHT and love it. I wouldn't dare sell it.

And if you're looking to spend $600 on a frame and then part out your LHT you're mad. Just buy an old road bike or sport touring bike off craigslist, clean it up, put a couple of hundred bucks into it and you'll still spend less money and you'll get to keep your LHT!

E_merlin

I have been hunting for one and am just getting tired of waiting I guess - I would love to find a trek 520 or the like. Just nothing in my size :-( I am probably being to picky.

rhm

I vote for really good tires on the 620. The 720 was the crazy-long-wheelbase touring bike; isn't the 620 more sport touring geometry?

E_merlin

47 - same as Surly LHT

ColonelJLloyd 

Why does one need two dedicated touring frames? Sell one. Buy what you want.

Rudi, I think this 620 has straight-up touring geometry. Seems there was an earlier version with caliper brakes and different geometry, though.

The MAX

Even though it has a longer wheel base, the 620 is probably a lighter and more nimble bike. I would just put a rando rack on the front, take the rear rack off, and 28mm tires, and maybe swap out the crank for a double. You can also change the FW and RD if it is a long cage . I think it would be a fine sporty bike.

ColonelJLloyd 

I don't know if the 620 is ever going to be nimble, but it'd be a shame to run tires any narrower than 27 x 1 1/4" or 700 x 35mm on that bike.

Puget Pounder

My vote is to keep the LHT rather than try to make that into a quicker/nimble machine and sell the 620 inorder to fund a nice sport tourer.

WNG

I'd be patient and hunt for that ideal sport touring frameset. IMO, I agree with the Col. that the 620 won't be as nimble as desired. It'll feel significantly 'better' than the LHT due to weight, and narrower tread. Meantime, ride the Trek, or do as another suggested, swap those tires on the LHT for narrow hp slicks.

E_merlin

@ Puget and the Col

I can justify two different class bikes, but it is hard for me to get rid of that 620....

With upgraded components the 620 should out perform the LHT in just about every way, right? It would perhaps be a bit more flexy fully loaded....

Ugh this is not easy - especially when bikes stop being bikes and become a personality with wheels... Sorry for the romanticism. The practical decision would be to trade/sell the 620 for a like vintage sports tourer and keep the LHT.

E_merlin

I went from the WBT ties that were stock to these continental contacts and did not notice WAY more drag. I have a fire/dirt road the borders on mountain biking that they work well on. I like the versatility and the adventure bike feel they have. I am sure a little lost efficiency over 50 miles adds up to a lot of wasted energy, good comment.

ColonelJLloyd 

I would think the LHT would edge out the 620 as a loaded tourer (its intended use). I understand not wanting to sell any bike. I'm just saying that you've done a bang up job on the LHT and there should be enough interest in a cleaned, well presented 620 to pay for (or at least a good portion of) a sport-tourer that is better equipped for a front load.

I don't get the comments on the LHT tire size. It's designed for 26" wheels. What's the point in running anything narrower than 1.95" tires?

When you do build up this brevet/century bike, do yourself a solid and build a dynamo wheel.