Help to choose surly LHT frame size
 

Hi all!
I am from Russia and here no any LBS which can sell or order or help with surly frameset.
I have a height of 176cm, weight 79kg and an inseam parameter of 81cm.
Because before I did not really bother with the choice of a bicycle and frame size, now I have a problems with the definition of a frame sizing.
I tried to select a frame using the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator and it suggest me next frame parameters:
The French Fit (cm)
Seat Tube Range c–c:
Seat Tube Range c–t:
Top Tube Length:
Stem Length:
BB–Saddle Position:
Saddle Handlebar:
Saddle Setback:55.4 - 55.8 cm
57 - 57.5 cm
54 - 54.4 cm
9.8 - 10.4 cm
66.8 - 68.8 cm
53.5 - 54.1 cm
5.3 - 5.7 cm










The calculator advises me a frame with ETTL 540-544 mm which сorresponds to 52cm frame size with 26'' wheels.
I want to try the 700c wheels but I don't know if these wheels better than 26''.
There is also the difficulty with these wheels, because the minimum frame size on the 700c wheels is 56cm with a standover of 81.19cm, which is more than my inseam parameter.
And based on the calculator result, I should choose either 52 or 54 size on 26 '' wheels.
Does it matter if I will use butterfly/trekking handlebar?
So the question is which frame size will be best for me? 52cm, 54cm or 56cm with 700c wheels?

I stopped on surly because it is cheaper frameset then other, but if you suggest something another I will consider it)

Bump for thread that got caught in the machine.

I'm 180 cm height, bought the 56 cm 26"/559mm wheel Trucker, standover is OK but 54cm frame would have given option to use a suspension seat post. For your 176cm height the 52cm/26" wheel might work best?

Either 52 or 54cm should work.

Some user inputs on size with scatterplot showing relation between height and frame size
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...GQ/edit#gid=23

second sheet with height and frame size with comments
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...BGQ/edit#gid=0

Another thread with similar information
http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/53...l-trucker.html

Get the 56. No doubt.
FAR too many get an LHT too small and end up with ridiculously jacked up steer tube spacers
If you don't believe me, go thru all the loaded tour bike pics thread.

To be fair to all those riding comically small frames, Surly also has a serious problem with designing frames which have short headtubes.
What you say may(and probably) have some truth, but their road frames at least are hurting for more headtube height in a bad way.

Are you able to import one and if so, is it from Europe only?
...curious about how this all works from your side of the border.

Ride a bike, measure its dimensions, then decide if its a good size in comparison to the one you cannot test ride.

I'm almost the same size as you, and have been shopping around for bikes recently.
If you are set on the LHT, just buy the 52cm size with 26in wheels and then make adjustments with stem and handlebar height. When you order, see if you can get them to send it to you with the fork steerer uncut.

Personally I would stick with 26 inch rims. You will have toe overlap issues with 700s. Yes, you could deal with it, but why would you want to? I have a 56 LHT and chose the 26 inch rims. I love it.

"Does it matter if I will use butterfly/trekking handlebar?"

I would think so, if the hand positions your using on the bars most often get you too far upright or stretched out too far. I've only used dropbars on mine so I won't be of much help. I'm sure a few people have converted from dropbars to your choices.

Oh! Thanks for all your replies!
I asked the same question in russian forums recently and nobody answered to me yet)
Here in Russia people more like offroad touring and usually they disscuss about surly troll, ogre, ecr frames or other frames with similar geometry.
Your answers is really helpful for me, especially spreadsheet.
Today I remeasured inseam parameter more accurate and it increased to 83cm.
So I think I should try to find either 54cm or 56cm 700c surly DT frames.
Also I read today about Soma saga dc frame which has 54cm 700c size and I think it also can be suitable for me.
I will looking a little bit larger frames than fit calculator suggested me, because I will use trekking/butterfly bar which a little bit closer to me than other bars (dropbar or flatbar).

So my next step is to find dealers who are ready to send frame to Russia.

Thanks for question. This is a good theme for discussion)
For USA I can use some shipping services which gives their domestic addresses where I can ship purchases and for additional cost they will send my purchases to Russia.
It is very convenient if the right thing is not saled in Russia. And sometimes it cheaper than buy the same things directly in Russia.
But in my current case those shipping services сan refuse me because of the size of the shipment.
So at first I will ask dealers/sellers ship frame directly to Russia.

And you are right - several europe bikeshops can ship frames directly to Russia. I will check them also.

Fwiw,I would go 54 if 26in.or 56 if I had to have a 700c wheel.

Thanks for question. This is a good theme for discussion)
For USA I can use some shipping services which gives their domestic addresses where I can ship purchases and for additional cost they will send my purchases to Russia.
It is very convenient if the right thing is not saled in Russia. And sometimes it cheaper than buy the same things directly in Russia.
But in my current case those shipping services сan refuse me because of the size of the shipment.
So at first I will ask dealers/sellers ship frame directly to Russia.

And you are right - several europe bikeshops can ship frames directly to Russia. I will check them also.

I'm 183 cm in height, and ride a 58 cm LHT (700c). Not a perfect fit but with a little shorter stem it feels pretty good. My legs are disproportionately longer than my torso, so the long top tubes on the LHTs are not optimum for me. I would think the 56 cm bike would work for you.

Yes, on my 56 cm/559 mm Disc Trucker I have at least 5 cm spacers but stem is fairly short. Truckers have long top tubes, with shorter frame one can use a longer stem. Shorter frame might allow use of a suspension seat-post for those rough Russian roads?

I am about 179cm and ride a 56. I could ride a 54. I think you would be safe getting the 54. As I said before, I prefer the 26 inch wheels. I wouldn't give the wheel size too much thought. Buy the bike that fits.

Another option if you want 26" wheels and trekking bars would be the Intec from Bike24 in Germany. More in the style of the Troll, but much cheaper than that or the LHT.
Some other bars to consider would be the Velo Orange Crazy bars. I recently switched from Butterflies to them, and find them nicer...

Bike24 German trekking bikes have more standard features & options & better prices than Surly or other US companies. Russian roads are reputedly bumpy, several German trekking bikes come with suspension forks that might be more comfortable & perhaps even more efficient than 26"-wheel Trucker with fat tires. Plus the German bikes come with flat bars so switching to butterfly bars would probably be fairly easy.

I am your height and own an 56 cm LHT. Could have gone with the 54, but wanted the 700 wheels. No regrets.