View Poll Results: lht or cc?
long haul trucker
44
61.97%
cross check
27
38.03%
Voters: 71. You may not vote on this poll
LHT or crosscheck?
05-06-08, 09:34 AM
#26
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I love my steamroller for my commute. I like to keep a pretty clutter free bike but might consider putting a rack on the front for the summer rides so I can avoid the dreaded sweaty pack back.
Surly makes some really nice frames. It is really forgiving on bumps which there are many on my route in to work.
I am getting all steamy just thinking about riding it again.
I saw a lot of Surly bikes in Burlinton, VT this past weekend. I think I saw one of every bike they make. I know I spotted a few cross checks and at least one steamer.
Go ride some!
Surly makes some really nice frames. It is really forgiving on bumps which there are many on my route in to work.
I am getting all steamy just thinking about riding it again.
I saw a lot of Surly bikes in Burlinton, VT this past weekend. I think I saw one of every bike they make. I know I spotted a few cross checks and at least one steamer.
Go ride some!
05-06-08, 10:15 AM
#27
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Mr. Jim,
I think the Xcheck is a good do all bike. I think what you're seeing is that everyone's happy with what they decided to get.
I am VERY happy to have the Xcheck. I ride over 30 miles a day on my commute, do kiddie hauling, change it from geared to single speed for winter riding, and even doing some light tours. I have average feet, size 9, and I never have heel strike nor do I have toe overlap unless I use fenders.
The ONE thing I wish the Xcheck had, and it's still in no way a deal breaker, is lowrider braze ons on the fork for a little bit more "involved" touring. As it is I can still put a solid front rack on there and do a front rack bag, but I can't do panniers (that I've found, but I'm open to ideas) on the front. So, I do a front rack bafg, a handlebar bag, rear panniers and I stack the rear rack, and then do a frame bag and I'm set!
Good for at least a few nights, depending on how smelly I'm ok with getting and how much money I can accept spending on food instead of cooking it.
I like it because it's so zippy feeling, and because I like to race 'cross in the fall, and because I like making it a single speed for the winter as I abhor dérailleur duty on a daily basis. The LHT is great, but it's more like a cruise ship where the Crosscheck is a cabin cruiser. The cruise ship is great, but it's a bit more slow feeling to me and not as nice if you want to do just pure road riding a lot with it. Light touring is my last priority, whereas commuting is #1 for me, and going on fun rides is #2.
I could go on forever, but you get the idea...try them both and decide which one feels better to ride and go from there. However, if loaded touring is #1 for you, then don't even question it and get the LHT.
I think the Xcheck is a good do all bike. I think what you're seeing is that everyone's happy with what they decided to get.
I am VERY happy to have the Xcheck. I ride over 30 miles a day on my commute, do kiddie hauling, change it from geared to single speed for winter riding, and even doing some light tours. I have average feet, size 9, and I never have heel strike nor do I have toe overlap unless I use fenders.
The ONE thing I wish the Xcheck had, and it's still in no way a deal breaker, is lowrider braze ons on the fork for a little bit more "involved" touring. As it is I can still put a solid front rack on there and do a front rack bag, but I can't do panniers (that I've found, but I'm open to ideas) on the front. So, I do a front rack bafg, a handlebar bag, rear panniers and I stack the rear rack, and then do a frame bag and I'm set!
Good for at least a few nights, depending on how smelly I'm ok with getting and how much money I can accept spending on food instead of cooking it.
I like it because it's so zippy feeling, and because I like to race 'cross in the fall, and because I like making it a single speed for the winter as I abhor dérailleur duty on a daily basis. The LHT is great, but it's more like a cruise ship where the Crosscheck is a cabin cruiser. The cruise ship is great, but it's a bit more slow feeling to me and not as nice if you want to do just pure road riding a lot with it. Light touring is my last priority, whereas commuting is #1 for me, and going on fun rides is #2.
I could go on forever, but you get the idea...try them both and decide which one feels better to ride and go from there. However, if loaded touring is #1 for you, then don't even question it and get the LHT.
had clouded the issue for me. Now if George would get me my stimulus check we might have a new bike to get set up
05-06-08, 01:23 PM
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I chose the LHT for the following reasons:
- Better complete bike spec for my needs with triple crank, wider range cassette, wider rims, and 36H spoked wheels.
- It will never be a ss/fixed-gear, so I'd rather have the vertical dropouts.
- The longer chainstays, since I have size 14 feet, to prevent heel strike with panniers.
Other little pluses:
- Pump peg
- 3rd water bottle mount
- fork rack mounts
I am also toying with the idea of doing some touring, but others have said the cross-check is quite capable of touring as well.
- Better complete bike spec for my needs with triple crank, wider range cassette, wider rims, and 36H spoked wheels.
- It will never be a ss/fixed-gear, so I'd rather have the vertical dropouts.
- The longer chainstays, since I have size 14 feet, to prevent heel strike with panniers.
Other little pluses:
- Pump peg
- 3rd water bottle mount
- fork rack mounts
I am also toying with the idea of doing some touring, but others have said the cross-check is quite capable of touring as well.
05-06-08, 01:40 PM
#30
Senior Member
Will you use panniers? If so, the LHT is probably longer and more likely will leave you with the panniers positioned back far enough to avoid heel strike.
I use my LHT for everything from quick trips down the street to a 44 mile RT commute. I have it set up with a flat bar and bar ends, plus a rack an REI Transit panniers. It's fast, comfortable, and incredibly utilitarian.
I use my LHT for everything from quick trips down the street to a 44 mile RT commute. I have it set up with a flat bar and bar ends, plus a rack an REI Transit panniers. It's fast, comfortable, and incredibly utilitarian.
05-06-08, 02:09 PM
#31
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If you don't mind carrying your stuff in a backpack or courier bag, since there's no rack brazes on the Pacer.
The Cross Check is only 0.5 pounds heavier for the frame and fork, has rack and fender brazes (in back; fender only up front), and clears much wider tires. (The Pacer can only take 32mm without and 28mm tires w/ fenders, so no studs in the winter.)
The Cross Check is only 0.5 pounds heavier for the frame and fork, has rack and fender brazes (in back; fender only up front), and clears much wider tires. (The Pacer can only take 32mm without and 28mm tires w/ fenders, so no studs in the winter.)
Don't see the original poster needing studded tires in Hawaii. Spring for the big bucks and put some Michelin ProRace2 25-700c on there. Like clouds they are, yet in no way sluggish. Cheaper now that they have come out with the ProRace3.
05-06-08, 02:24 PM
#32
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Since I have a Pacer. Yes, you can put a rack on the back using P-clips. Any better hardware store will have them, or can order them for you. These fit around the seat stays, up around where they are brazed to the seat tube. The Pacer has a single, threaded, braze-on at the dropouts, for fender attachment. On mine, I using it for both fender and rack attachment. Alternately, you can use a seatpost, clamp-on type rack, so that is really a non-issue.
I think the question is why, in a poll where the choices are "A" or "B", did someone answer "C"?
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05-06-08, 02:25 PM
#33
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Hard part is finding bike shoes in a 7.5 EE
05-06-08, 03:36 PM
#35
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Is it as hard as finding shoes in 9 EEEE? Wearing some Allen Edmonds EEEs right now, and just got done ordering some Lake MX165s in their wide. I hope it's wide enough
BTW, Lake shoes are awesome for paddlefoots. I feel your pain.
05-06-08, 07:35 PM
#36
or tarckeemoon, depending
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The Long Haul Trucker rides like it's on rails. If we're talking complete bikes it's a nicer spec.
That said, I own a Cross Check. I don't need touring bike handling for my application.
If I were building up a geared commuting bike today it would be a Kona ***** Tonk. No question.
That said, I own a Cross Check. I don't need touring bike handling for my application.
If I were building up a geared commuting bike today it would be a Kona ***** Tonk. No question.
05-08-08, 09:30 AM
#37
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Wow, so much Surly love out there. The sad thing is that in my many thousands of miles on the LHT I've never ever seen another one on the road 
.... and not for lack of looking either, I'm the type that sees a hot lady on a nice bike and think "mmmm, nice bike" 
Honestly, I think you'll be happy as a pig in poo with either one. I think getting the right frame size and setting it up for a good fit is a bazillion times more critical than the differences in frame geometries between the two models.
.... and not for lack of looking either, I'm the type that sees a hot lady on a nice bike and think "mmmm, nice bike" Honestly, I think you'll be happy as a pig in poo with either one. I think getting the right frame size and setting it up for a good fit is a bazillion times more critical than the differences in frame geometries between the two models.
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05-08-08, 09:49 AM
#38
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Get both.
I'm serious... I'm getting ready to take the plunge on some new wheels, and I can see myself ending up with both a LHT and a Crosscheck before it's all said and done.
My problem is deciding which one to get first...
I'm serious... I'm getting ready to take the plunge on some new wheels, and I can see myself ending up with both a LHT and a Crosscheck before it's all said and done.
My problem is deciding which one to get first...
07-22-08, 09:27 PM
#39
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Time to fish this thread from the depths. =)
I bought a used LHT frame that I custom powder coated (light blue). I am also building it up as strictly a commuter for the toughness it has. I debated heavily between an LHT and a Xcheck but I thought the LHT frame was so much more versatile plus I LOVED the feel of the ride of the stock bike at the LBS. It really does feel like a cadillac. I'm wondering how this type of build will feel. I supposed it will be the perfect Randoneer (sp?) It's kind of an experiment you could say.
It will have Easton EA70's and a Double chaing ring, STI shifter, 35mm Schwalbe Marathon XR's, etc. IE an "LHT Commuter". I will post pics up here when it's done. I would imagine there are others as curious to see it as much as I am. =)
I bought a used LHT frame that I custom powder coated (light blue). I am also building it up as strictly a commuter for the toughness it has. I debated heavily between an LHT and a Xcheck but I thought the LHT frame was so much more versatile plus I LOVED the feel of the ride of the stock bike at the LBS. It really does feel like a cadillac. I'm wondering how this type of build will feel. I supposed it will be the perfect Randoneer (sp?) It's kind of an experiment you could say.
It will have Easton EA70's and a Double chaing ring, STI shifter, 35mm Schwalbe Marathon XR's, etc. IE an "LHT Commuter". I will post pics up here when it's done. I would imagine there are others as curious to see it as much as I am. =)
07-23-08, 10:23 AM
#41
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I would buy a Soma. A better frame using better tubing from a better factory. Soma makes both a Touring and a Cyclocross frame.
Michael
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
07-23-08, 10:45 AM
#42
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Mr. Jim,
I think the Xcheck is a good do all bike. I think what you're seeing is that everyone's happy with what they decided to get.
I am VERY happy to have the Xcheck. I ride over 30 miles a day on my commute, do kiddie hauling, change it from geared to single speed for winter riding, and even doing some light tours. I have average feet, size 9, and I never have heel strike nor do I have toe overlap unless I use fenders.
I think the Xcheck is a good do all bike. I think what you're seeing is that everyone's happy with what they decided to get.
I am VERY happy to have the Xcheck. I ride over 30 miles a day on my commute, do kiddie hauling, change it from geared to single speed for winter riding, and even doing some light tours. I have average feet, size 9, and I never have heel strike nor do I have toe overlap unless I use fenders.
07-23-08, 11:08 AM
#43
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Following the classic Bike Ownership Equation (n+1), I'm thinking a lot of what my next commuter bike will be. I've been debating between a cyclo-cross and a touring bike. Given what I've researched so far and knowing what future events are planned (i.e., a new campus, five miles further ride one way), I'm leaning more towards the LHT over the X-Check or even the Tricross. Main reason being distance. The roads I ride are pretty light, traffic-wise, as well as straight, but currently not all of them (hell, none) are smooth. In fact, one stretch has been torn up for construction and is basically a rutted, pot-holed, hardpack and crushed limestone. Granted the X-Check would do well, I'd like a little more relaxed geometry and longer chainstays for panniers (plus the option of front racks, if I decide to tour or do brevets).
