wassup all...

I decided to build myself a new brand new bike used just for touring. I don't have a car so I'll be using the bike for every one of my commutes. For the past year i've used a '04 Motobecane mirage pro. I think it's time to build a nice commuter.
I hope to build it in about three months (or rather what my monthly paycheck allows). My first stage (month) would be frame, fork, headset, stem, and handle bar. Mebbe in month two i'll get the wheels, tubes and tires, brake and gearing along with pedals and cranks, as well as handle bar tape, Finally in the third month finish up with panniers, mudguards, Seatpost, Brooks B17, as well as a set of lights.

Here's the list of components I've decided on so far...

Surly long haul trucker as the frame and fork with a chris king headset (green or blue). Then a Ritchey Pro Road Stem and finish off with a Ritchey Pro Road Handlebar. Total would probably come to about 700 bucks.

Any suggestions on a wheelset that takes 700c X 28-30c tires? Thanks.

p.s. I told one of my coworkers that the project would take more than $1k to complete...He tried his best to discourage me from 'wasting' my money

edit: I meant just for commuting, not touring Sorry...

Dang 41 views and no replies. No one has any input?

I'm not sure what input you are looking for besides what type of wheels. It sounds like you have made up your mind, and IMO it is a good choice. As for wheels, I don't know. I would probably want fatter tires than you describe, but I am a big guy.

My only question, if this is to be your main transportation, would be, how much bicycle theft do you have where you live?

Thanks...I just need opinions. i.e whether I have made a good choice or if not what would be better etc...

I'm gonna use it mainly for work, so it'll me inside most of the day (when im not riding it). As for the thickness of the tires, I don't weigh much (145-150 lbs.), and I prefer tires thin enough to go pretty fast yet thick enough so I dont feel every little bump of the road.

For the wheels I'm right now thinking of getting a pair build by Harris Cyclery (Mavic A719 rims, Ultegra hub, and triple butted spokes). Think they'll go together? Any other Ideas?

Thanks

Sounds like a good build. The LHT is a great bike from what I hear. Surly makes some good frames.

Well, since a LHT is on my want list right now I think you have made an excellent decision. Since security doesn't seem to be a big issue then I see no problem at all. At your weight that should be plenty of tire for a smooth ride too. The only suggestion I have, since this is for primary transportation, is to invest in a good headlight/tail light combo and some sort of backup light too.

any road wheels should be pretty good at your weight....

i'd recommend conti top touring 2000's in a 28 as a good long lasting low hassle tire.

what eles did you need? oh yeah lights....

been thinking of getting one of these for the front this winter.

https://www.bikelights.com/Products/vega.htm

finally, i got a crosscheck which i'd recommend but i bet the LHT is real nice as well.

I would recommend XT (Mountain bike) hubs instead of ultegra for 2 reason: the rear dropout on the LHT is 135 mm, but Ultegra (& other road hubs) have a 130mm spacing. This doesn't make a huge difference in the end, you can actually fit the road hubs, the real reason to get XT is they have mud guards to keep wear & tear down on the hub bearings. They will be better for rainy/muddy/sandy conditions, which I imagine you'll have at some point on your commute.

Otherwise I think you're on the right track, the LHT is my main commuter, and I'm actually planning on buyin gthe performance websites A719 wheelset, which, stupidly, have 105 hubs. SO I'll deal with the road hubs for now and eventually buy some XT hubs to lace to the rims. I'm just doing it to save money really, it might be worth your while to check out as well. There's little difference between Ultegra & 105, what you'd be paying for (and it IS worth it if you're not comfortable truing/checking the wheelset) is the Harris build.

Anyway, the link for that wheelset is: