Which would be better for commuting purposes?
 

Surly LHT or the Crosscheck?

The answer is:
It depends.

The CC is fairly nimble while the LHT moves better loaded with weight.

How are you planning on commuting?

I have an LHT, but it's pretty big and heavy. I think if I were to buy again I'd spring for the Crosscheck. (I travel a lot for business, and I was really jonesing for a Travellers-Check, but they don't offer them any more.)

Frame and fork or bought with OEM parts picked for you?

CC will have shorter chainstays , how bigare your feet, and are you planning to run rear bags on a rack.

I will be buying the bike as a complete. i definitely want to use panniers since i normally carry anywhere from 10-20lbs worth of stuff for my job. I wear a size 45 in cycling shoes. My commute is only 28 miles round trip on paved roads. I use to commute back when i lived in phoenix but always did it on bikes that werent so commuter friendly. So i figured i'd do it right this time and get a bike that was commuter friendly.

I commute with a LHT, though I'm only going 3.3m on hilly terrain. Though not the only reason I went with the LHT, I tried a CC with fenders at the bike shop, and when making turns my feet hit the fenders. It's possible this was due to the way it was set up initially, but it was a bit of a drawback for me.

No reason to take the cross-check if you just want a commuter. The LHT is easier to setup for racks, fenders and is designed for a tiny bit more comfortable posture. It comes with a more durable(but heavier) parts spec also iirc. There are other brands than surly, you know.

I'd go for the crosscheck, mostly for its versatility. My thinking is that a LHT is definitely a great bike as a commuter but its strength lies in touring; as everyone has said, it's a heavy, durable bike. The crosscheck on the other hand, can be set up as a "road" bike, a cross bike, a commuter, a tourer, or even a fixed gear if you're into that sort of thing. FYI, I have a Bianchi Volpe that is very similar to the crosscheck and I can't imagine wanting a heavier, sturdier bike for commuting. Plus, you said that your commute is 28 miles round trip, and the crosscheck will definitely be faster, if that matters to you,

i know there are more brands, but i can get better "deals" with Surly, Trek, & Salsa if you know what i mean lol. Out of them all those were the two i really liked. I also like the trek 520 but theres a couple things i dont like about it, main thing is i need to be able to run studded tires during the winter and i'm not sure if the frame will accomadate fenders and the studded tires. I may just build up a CC or LHT frame.

Oh yeah... i guess that helps. I would also seriously look into disc brakes if i were to build another commuter ride, specifically if it will be used in wet, slushy and cold conditions. I also like aluminum for the corrosion issue, though with a thick-tubed frame like the LHT corrosion does pose less of a serious threat however, the rust nicks where paint gets chipped are unsightly.

I have owned and commuted on both, and the LHT is better for commuting in almost every way. It's built to be more comfortable, stable, stronger, and accommodating to carrying cargo than the CC. The perceived advantage of versatility the CC offers does not pan-out in reality as switching between fixed, geared, cross and touring requires too much time and equipment.

Yea a disc brake .. and an internal gear hub would be my setup, bene sugg
Though my 2 IG hub bikes have rim brakes.. life is simpler
in gear changes , at least.

Alfine 8peed perhaps ?, but that's getting well off the A/B choice originally proposed .

Like Surly and Salsa, Civia is another QBP line, check those out too..

If you want to go fast and don't need to haul so much stuff, get the Crosscheck.

If you don't mind going slower but want to haul everything and the kitchen sink, get the LHT. It has all the braze-ons like for rear rack AND front low rider rack. Putting stuff on the front and low really helps with balancing out a loaded bike. This bike is designed to handle well with a load. Long wheelbase. LOOOOONNNNGGG chainstay to help with heelstrike.

For commuting LHT is overkill. Get the Crosscheck. A more versatile bike. I've read a lot of post and Craigslist ads that say they regretted getting the LHT since it is so heavy and slow. If you were a size 14 shoe, I'd get the LHT though, with it's 18in chainstay.

People still can do a tour on a Crosscheck, You can get attachment kits to install a low rider rack, but the CC's higher bottom bracket and tighter geometry won't handle as well as the LHT under heavy load. But how many times are you going to haul 60lbs of cargo to work and back**********? This kind of riding is what the LHT was designed for.

I had my headset on a LHT myself, but it doesn't make sense to me since I don't see myself doing a self supported tour anytime soon.

If you are on the shorter side and the only LHT models that fits you come with 26" wheels. This would be another good reason to get the CC. The Cross check's 700c is more versatile in this regard. You can mount a WIDE variety of fast 700 x 23, 25, 28 tires. If you wanted to get a narrow 26" tire, you would not have as many options. The meat of 26" tires is 26 x 1.5 and up. There's only a handful of options in a 26 x 1.25. Like Ritchey Tom Slicks or Specialized Fatboys. Both of which has less than stellar puncture resistance.

A lot of it comes down to personal preference. 10 - 20 lbs isn't all that much stuff. I carry that much in a backpack. And while you say you're commute is only 28 miles round trip, that's far enough that time would get to be a factor for me and I'd want to be able to haul ass if I needed to. A Cross-Check will let you do that more so than an LHT.

Like grandpa's Electra 225. Corners like a land yacht too :)

My cross bike is my #1 go-to bike for commuting.

I use both for commuting duty. The lht is geared, while the crosscheck is not. All in all, I'd say the crosscheck is the more fun to ride. It's lighter and more nimble as stated above. It is also the more versatile of the two, which is why it was the first Surly bike in my collection. It's had flat bars, mustache bars. and all manner of drop bars. Single speed, geared, it does all with equal aplomb. If I could only have one bike, it would be my crosscheck.

Ride both of them, then get the one that puts a bigger grin on your face.

FYI a touring bicycle isn't "slow", but then you got that information from craigslist... Those touring bicycles still have drops and you can get significantly aerodynamic for commuting. No, I wouldn't time-trial on it, but then i wouldn't time trial on a cross-check either. An 8" DH bicycle is overkill, but a touring frame is a great commuter and in terms of versatility it is one of the bests option because of all those eyelets and designed in features for carrying your loads.

Yes 26" LHT do have less of an option for skinny tires. Saying that, cross-checks probably won't fit studded 35s and fenders and the sharper head angle and short wheel-base will make it sketchy in the snow when compared to a more relaxed and longer framed bicycle like a LHT.

I would only get a cross-check if I could fit everything i needed into a back-pack because, after slapping 20lbs on the rack I really doubt one notices the extra 1.5lbs of steel used in the LHT frame, but they might notice how well a touring frame rides loaded compared to other frames.

Surly's site lists both the CC and LHT as having 45mm tire clearance with fenders. I think it all comes down to your riding style and how else you wish to use this bike, as others have eluded to. Having only ridden the LHT, I can't comment on my personal preferences, but then, they would still only reflect my personal preferences.

Buy both and decide for yourself ;-). I have the LHT and sometimes wish I had something faster. So eventually I will probably have to satisfy the n+1 equation.

I think either bike can make a great commuter, it all depends on what you're after. I do see Cross-checks all the time in the winter and one of my coworkers has one set up with rack, panniers, 35mm studds and fenders. Maybe the LHT would make a better winter bike, -don't know. As far as riding with loads is concerned, last year I put a rack and panniers on what is essentially a low end racing bike. With 15 to 20 lbs. stability and handling weren't a problem but panniers did sap most of the fun out of that bike.

In our garage is a Univega sport touring bike from the 80's. No cantis, but it does have long chain stays. It's a very smooth riding bike but it does take a little bit more to get it up to speed and keep it there. It's a great bike for a long semi-leisurely ride. But if I'm in a hurry? It wouldn't be my first choice. Like I said, it depends on what you're looking for.

That is good news for OP. I don't have a LHT either, but after riding a touring bicycles i find them a good option for getting from a to b.

Yeah.. once you add a rack and panniers, people should forget most discussion about bicycle weight. That is why, when sporty and fast enter into this discussion, you should for sure be speaking about a bicycle you don't plan to use panniers(or for that matter studded tires) on, they're not aerodynamic and typically contain heavy things... better to get a relaxed style frame for such applications.

Well i did a little pricing and have came up with the conclusion that i will be building up a frameset. I did notice that there 50cm frame size is the same size as my 54cm road. each frame has a downfall but i'm not sure which is worse. CC- due to having a shorter wheelbase could cause my heels to hit the panniers. LHT- a size 50cm only allows 26"s wheels. I would use a backpack but i hate havent something on my back while riding. i'll post up my parts list in a few minutes to let ya'll review it

heres my parts list:

Handlebars: FSA Wing Compact
Seatpost: FSA SL-280
Stem: FSA OS-190
Wheelset: Not Sure Yet
Crankset / BB: Deore M591
FD: Deore M591
RD: Deore M591
Chain: Shimano CN-HG73
Cassette: Deore 11-32
Shifter: Shimano Bar End SL-BS77
Brake Caliper: Tektro Oryx Cantilever
Brake lever: Tektro RL520
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon HS 420
Saddle: Brooks B17

With so many changes. from the OEM build , just get the frame and fork .