In my experience the LHT w/ 26" wheels is in a qualitatively different world from the CC for plush capacity. Although I've heard you can put 700c big apples into a CC so maybe not. I gave up on 40mm tires on my CC whereas I am thrilled w/ 26" x 2.0 BAs on my LHT. Could just be a gearing thing that makes me happier w/ the fatties on the one than the other.

Cyclaholic, love your set-up! That's where I intend to be in a few years when kid #1 outgrows the trailer.

So I tried the LHT with the trailer and kids today and was--sadly--not blown away in the way I expected to be. That "steer with one finger" quality disappeared with the trailer in tow. However, I was riding on perhaps the worst stretch of pavement in Philly (lower Spruce Street bike lane, for locals), and I should really have gone a couple miles further to get away from the potholes and stop signs every block. But a second however--this catapults the CC w/granny gear back into contention!

And now I really have NO idea what LBS #1 was on about with drop bars and a trailer. I was in some busy traffic with narrow bike clearance today and felt no concern at all. As much as one can feel no concern when there are Jersey drivers around.

A bike/trailer combo takes some getting used to as it is a whole new and unique experience. As for the handling itself, it has as much to do with the trailer as it does with the bike. One critical aspect is the bike-trailer interface. It you have a crappy hitch design your handling will be crappy irrespective of how good your bike is..... and stop worrying about the whole drop bar & trailer combo thing, it's a total non-issue.

I don't see how you'd get that with any heavy load, managing all that mass takes both arms.

[QUOTE= more straight up riding position, higher bars.[/QUOTE]

Nope. . .not on mine anyway. . . .I have the same amount of drop from saddle to bars on my LHT as i do on my Colnago and my Seven. .. .not an extreme racer drop, but not "bars above the saddle" by any means. . .I'm as flat-back, stretched out on my LHT commuter as I am on my 'road' bikes.

Lieren--This is a question probably better suited to a PM, but apparently I can't send those yet...

Which shops in Philly have you been looking for the LHT in?? I just moved here (last week) and am also looking for a commuter/grocery hauler/etc and would like to test ride some Surlys, and if you could point me in the direction of a couple shops with demos I'd be thrilled

Also (random Philly bike shop question), do you know of any local shops with good used parts bins?? I want to build my commuter with downtube shifters and other assorted older parts to keep cost/maintenance down and I'd like to locally source them if possible...
Thanks

If you are leaning towards the LHT make sure you test ride it. I did and found it undesirable. Heavy, sluggish, and boring. No Kool-Aid for me thank you.

I will certainly test-ride, hence my previous question regarding what local shop has demo bikes. I'm also a little between sizing and want to see what feels better (and if that's the 54, I will probably look elsewhere, as I'd like to keep 700 wheels on all my bikes, for ease of tube/tire managment). I'm not looking for agility, I have a plenty fun road bike and a singlespeed/fixie for days when I don't have much of a load and good weather. I'm looking for a serious grocery-hauler, bad weather commuter, and something that will haul enough of a load that I could go car free (if the 20+ year old car dies, that's a serious possibility).

What about cargo bikes? Big Dummy, Yuba Mundo, Kona Ute, or even a Specialized Globe if want something less long in the tail?

Carlotta, I test rode the LHT and the CC at both Bicycle Revolutions on 4th and almost Fitzwater and Trophy Bikes on the Walnut Street bridge. After test riding I know where I'd buy and I'll PM you with my thoughts. As for the used bins, try Via Bicycles or Firehouse Bicycles. I've never asked about bins but they both sell used bikes and "major" parts (wheels, etc.) and philosophically would be supportive of your project.

Thanks! I knew about Trophy, but not Bicycle Revolutions.

This is what I have I believe.