myrridin

I purchased a Novarra Ponderosa hardtail mountain bike in June, the first bike I've owned in 25+ years. The bike was purchased to provide transportation on firetrails and dirt roads for me and my cameras.

I've spent the summer getting fit enough to actually use the bike for my intended purpose (could barely ride a mile the first couple of trips). Now that I have been riding 6 days a week for about three months I have decided that I like it enough to continue the activity, so I have been considering the purchase of a bicycle more suited to riding on pavement, which is what most of my daily riding has been so far.

I have currently narrowed my choices down to two bicycles in the $1100 price range;

The Surly long haul Trucker

or the

Fuji Touring Road Bike

Both are steel frame/fork bicycles, which I like since I'm something of a traditionalist. Also since they are both touring bikes they have strong wheels since I am also a Clyde (~250lb).
Are there any other bikes in this class/price range I should consider when I go try test riding to make the final purchase decision?

KonAaron Snake 

I don't have much experience with Fuji..and none with modern Fuji, but the LHT is a full tourer and is NOT a commuter. It's a heavy feeling, sluggish bike and would not be a bike I considered for your stated purpose. I'm in a minority, but I did not like the LHT much. The Cross Check is a more appropriate Surly.

Others to consider are the Jamis Aurora, Bianchi Volpe, Soma Double Cross and Vassago Fisticuff (if you;re married to steel). As you can tell from my signature, I prefer steel bikes, but I prefer used...where you get a lot more bike for the buck.

indyfabz

I commute daily on my LHT and use it generally to get around, (e.g., ride to dinner, movies and shopping). In a week I usually see a half dozen people doing the same on their LHTs. I also use it for loaded touring. The wheel set is definitely strong. Despite once shifting my rear deraileure into the spokes to a point where it burst into piece and twisted the hanger (long story, my fault), the wheel was barely tweeked. And the set was a non-issue when carrying a lot of weight in the U.S. & Canadian Rockies.

Don't know if I would take it "real" MTBing, but on relatively gentle unpaved roads/trails it has done well.

KonAaron Snake 

Maybe I should be more specific...there's nothing stopping you or preventing you from using a LHT for commuting, I just don't think it's good for it. Again, it's a heavy, extremely sugglish bike with a very dead feeling. It's designed for full loads and there are better bikes for commuting.

Frankly I think it's an over sold, over rated bike that has a following only because it doesn't have much/any competition in its niche (production full tourer).

Indy...are you the guy that leaves his LHT at 17th and Arch?

myrridin

Thanks for the info. I plan on keeping the Ponderosa for any off-road riding. I picked the LHT and the Fuji because both frames seem to have a slightly more upright riding position than I see on the more race style bikes. And also because I prefer steel over aluminum (and do not want to pay for CF) I will definitely add the Aurora and Volpe to my test ride list, though the other two mentioned appear to be frame only.

cyclist2000

There are a lot of steel bikes out there. Many of the touring bikes are steel. Depending on the type of riding and feel of the bike you may want to look at some cross bikes too. One on my "to buy" list is a Gunnar, this is a little out of your price limit, the frame is between $900-1000. But all their bikes are steel.

Also the Trek 520, Jamis has 5-6 different road bikes that are steel, Masi speciale, speciale cx and speciale randonneur, Raleigh has about 10 steel road bikes, schwinn le tour classic.

So there are a lot to choose from. Other steel touring bikes in your price range are Trek 520, Masi Special Randonneur, Raliegh Sojourn and even though its not steel, Cannondale Touring 2

FWIW, I weigh 235, I have never had a problem with wheels or spokes breaking on me. I have many bikes and many wheelsets that have spoke counts ranging from 20-36 spokes.

KonAaron Snake 

A Gunnar Sport Touring/Rando bike is on my "want to have" short list. The ONLY reason I didn't mention it is price. Also, I think OP wants a built up bike.

cyclist2000

Aaron,

I really like the Grand Tour and would add SS coupliers. This is actually a downgrade on my list from the Waterford 22 series sport touring, I really like the lug work and all the custom add ons.

You have a nice list of bikes, you can see mine at
here

KonAaron Snake 

I apparently can't view it at work...will take a look tonight.

The Waterfords are definitely VERY nice...I'd really like a 953 from them. The Gunnars are just far more economically justifiable...especially since I'm picking up my first custom bike in a few months (a Marnati). If I ever do get to get another custom, it will probably be a Bilenky...maybe a Hetchins. I would either go 953 or ti.

Come Friday I'll be adding a 1983 Richard Sachs to the list