I commute approximately 20 miles round trip 4 days a week on paved trail. I am also considering taking a long touring ride later this year. I currently ride an 11 yr old MTB (Speicalized Rockhopper). The bike is in good condition and rides fine, however, I have been considering upgrading to a a road bike, specifically the Surly LHT. Is the upgrade worth it even though my current bike has no problems?

Thank you

Yes and yes.

Everybody needs a new bike

Yes, I just bought two of them.

+1 that everyone needs a new bike!
Not so sure you need a LHT, though. It might not be the best for your commute, which is the vast majority of the riding you do, even if you do get around to that long tour. I'd look at the Cross Check or any of a number of other bikes that are better suited to your every day needs, but could handle the occasional tour.

Nah, run what you brung till you have good reason(s) to change. That way there's a better chance of satisfaction with whatever you get.

Welcome To Bike Forums, CD!


What happens if, you wake up late one morning and find that you have a flat?

What happens if, your bicycle mechanic needs two or three days before he can fix your bike?

What happens if, you exit the library, only to find that your bike has been stolen?

Clearly you can readily see, that as a commuter with only one bicycle for transportation, any of these events can ruin your day and quite possibly even cost you your job. That's particularly so, if there is no other practical means to get to work.

IMHO, as a daily commuter, a second bicycle is imperative! One can never predict the instance of an emergency...

PS.

Besides, the Surly LHT would make for an awesome commuter!

Always Abide by the N+1 RULE...

No, change the tires to skinnier ones and upgrade the components.

Yeah, but what if there's an emergency?

These guys may have a point if we're only considering the daily commute, but what about your touring plans?

Trust me, you don't want to tour on your old MTB!

* Of course, if your Rockhopper is a pre 2003 era Rockhopper, that's different!

I say again...

N+1 rule!

Resistance is futile.


Anyway, a back-up bike is always nice to have.

How about building up the Rockhopper as a touring/bad weather bike and then get a nice Cyclo-cross bike (with discs brakes) instead?

LHTs are great, just make sure you don't mind the whole bar-end shifter thing. Got a Jamis Aurora because I couldn't live with it, have been doing very well for me since. (and even that option's succumbed to the Bar end shifter trend in the 2012 model...)

while we're talking Surly bikes, I saw a Big Dummy parked on the grocery store's bike rack the other day. That thing looks sweet!

That's up to you. I have a cheap hybrid, about a 22 mile route, and no particular desire to switch. I'd move to skinnier tires, but if the bike fits I'd just keep riding it.

I don't really believe that a different bike would make me enjoy the ride very much more, and I have other things to buy.

There are other people who seem to buy a different bike for every possible road and/or weather condition, and who am I to say that's wrong, it's their money.

I don't like LHTs for commuting (or any touring bike for that matter) but if you want a new bike and you can afford it, get one. Maybe it'll make you smile more on the way to work, or inspire you to take longer trips on the weekends. Money well spent.

I commute daily on a LHT and it works great. I am running fat rubber with fenders and it doesn't affect the speed of my commute at all. As for the bar end shifters you get used to them pretty quickly.

I have the same situation. Daily commute, old converted mountain bike.
I've been dreaming of a new bike for ages.

So I bought one.

It should arrive Monday.

Then I get to spend more on pedals, fenders, a rack, a speedo, water cages, and blah blah blah.

Oh well. At least I'll have a new bike.

You should too.

Of course you should buy a new bike! Whether you need one is a totally different conversation.

Are you planning on hauling a lot of gear with you on your tour? Something that would allow you to easily mount a front rack would be nice.

Also handlebars that have multiple hand positions are good for touring too.

I had a mid 90's RockHopper hard-tail with a rigid fork. With some modifications it probably would have been fine for touring. But if your RockHopper has a suspension fork, I'd be more inclined to get a different bike.

New bike, old bike, you need more.

New bikes bring great joy

Few will talk you out of buying a new bike here