keggerkeg

OK probably dreaming...but am looking for a bike to use on commuting, touring (probably more "light" than expedition), and for long distance riding and training (want to get into doing brevets and some pretty serious distance). Mostly would use for long distance rides, possibly some fairly long distance commting (35miles one way) and lastly for some touring. I don't really want a bike thats a "dog" and slow...but comfort is a serious must have...everyone seems to rant about the LHT...but thinking of a Salsa casseroll or surly crosscheck or pacer since they are a little light / sportier....anyone in this forum have any pearls of wisdom? asked in the long distance forum but definitely also want the option of touring (i reallly like the thought of doing a long 100+/day tour for a week this summer)...guess right now i am leaning to the LHT complete...seems like main knock on it from the long distance crowd is its weight...but a couple pounds here and there won't kill me since even when in best shape i never drop below 185-190...probably asking for a lot out of one bike...but really only want one more in the stable...already have 4 (redline 925 fixed...my current fav, old Giant Cadex rd bike, Bacchetta Strada recumbent, and an old cannondale MTB) so fiance thinks i am getting a little batty...she thinks i am turning into the equivalent of the little old lady with a house full of cats, but with bikes! so prob will ditch the old MTB and RD bike...btw good size tires / ability to ride on rail trails, dirt and gravel is a must for this bike. thanks for your input!

bugly64

I use the CrossCheck for all those things. I just put a lowrider rack and panniers on it using u-bolts on the front since it doesn't have fork braze-ons. The best advice you can receive is to ride whatever you want buy first. I roll 700c x 35.

Bacciagalupe

Actually, the requirements / optimal setup for commuting, touring and LD are pretty close. It shouldn't be a problem to use one bike for all of them.

Weight isn't too much of an issue with the LHT, it's only going to weigh a few pounds more than some other bikes. The main thing is that it feels like a tank, and it's designed to be stable while loaded. Some people like that feeling, some don't. Actual speed may be about the same.

A cross bike (Cross Check, Bianchi Volpe) will feel a little zippier and may be a little better for bad surfaces. Many cross bikes are intentionally designed to be "all-around" bikes and are fully capable of what you need, just slightly less optimal at a specific task (e.g. heavily loaded touring).

Salsa Casseroll, audax bikes etc will do pretty much the same thing, though you want to be sure those frames will handle the extras you like, such as wide tires and fenders.

One possibility, especially if you are a heavier rider, is to have two sets of wheels -- one robust set for touring and commuting, and a lighter set for LD. It's not critical but may suit your tastes.

10 Wheels

A Felt F-80 does it all for me.

joel2old

soma double cross does everything for me. front and rear rack mounts, fender mounts, and change the tires for differnt road conditions and your good to go.

staehpj1

I disagree with the comments often made about how the touring bikes are as fast or almost as fast as road bikes. I love my touring bike for loaded touring, but it is a lot slower than my road bike on a club century or other long unladen ride. If performance and a sporty feel are important to you an LHT isn't the bike of your dreams. (not knocking the LHT it is a great loaded touring bike)

Also I will disagree with the common sentiment that a touring bike with an upright posture is automatically more comfortable. I find nothing more comfortable than my road bike for century rides. It is supremely comfortable. My touring bike fairly closely mimics the riding posture of my road bike (bars maybe 4" below the saddle etc.) and I had no comfort issues on a a coast to coast tour.

If you want a bike that will do it all and want a sporty feel a cyclocross bike might work well for you. You might also consider a randoneering design.

staehpj1

Given your stated requirements this might be a good idea, but think it is equally or maybe even more applicable even if you are not on the heavy side.. I suspect that a good bit of the performance difference between road and touring bikes is in the wheels.

sjauch

You should also check out the Bianchi Vigorelli. It's a pretty sweet bike for the price. My only gripe is short reach brakes.

I'm off to test ride one tonight along with the Salsa Casseroll.

hnsq

I have a cross bike I do everything on, and it has worked great so far. Running 700x32's is comfortable for commuting/around town, but I have clearance for much wider if I need it. I also have disc brakes which (despire what anyone else says) I love for day-to-day use.

nun

The bike you need is a Rivendell Rambouillet. Unfortunately they are difficult to get hold of at the monent as the frames are not being made, but they come up on ebay every now and again. Failing that look at bikes like the Rivendell Hilsen, Mercian Audax Special, Waterford Sport Touring etc.

John Nelson

Since this will be your fifth bike, it seems that you don't really need one bike to do it all. Get something that complements your existing stable.

northboundtrain

I agree with the comments that the LHT -- and similar heavy duty touring bikes -- is a tank. It's certainly true that if you put 28c tires on it and pack ultralight, it won't be too much slower than a lighter bike -- just the added weight of the bike. However, that weight isn't insignificant by any means. I'd estimate a stock LHT with racks and fenders to tip the scales at 30+ lbs. And when you have a bike that can easily take a heavy load, you're likely to bring along a few extra things and pretty soon you're rather weighted down. And then you'll want fatter (slower) tires, etc., etc. . .

I lighter bike forces you to make the tough packing choices to keep your load light. And then you can run 25c or 28c tires which are much faster than 35c.

Depending on your budget, you can get a good steel sport touring or cross frame and build it up to less than 20 lbs., a little more with racks and fenders. I think the LHT hits it's price point with relatively cheap and heavy components like seatpost, stem, cranks, etc. It's not a "cheap" bike by any means. In fact it has really good components where it needs them -- wheels for instance. But it has to cut corners where it can to come in at just over $1,000.

screenwasher

Keggerkeg,

You may want to look at the Jamis Aurora. Mine has worked well for the following types of riding:
1. Around town for errands and shopping
2. Solo and club rides of 30-60 miles
3. Organized event rides up to centuries
4. Lightly loaded weekend tours of 150 miles
5. Semi-loaded weeklong tour of 300 miles

If you want something zippier, look at the 2009 Aurora Elite as well. It is about 3 or 4 lbs lighter than the Aurora, without sacrificing some of the touring geometry and other features.

Randochap

Sounds like you are describing a "sport tourer." I have two: A steel Marinoni Ciclo and a titanium Marinoni Sportivo, custom built to accommodate bigger tyres.

AsanaCycles

here it is

a custom Hunter 29er in the old school cruiser style, with inverted On-One Mary bars, in the Cafe racer tradition.

this bike "does everything"

it takes 700x23c tyres all the way up to 29x2.35" Panaracer Rampage

its perfectly adept in the dirt
it tours
it runs errands
it pulls a BOB (but i sold it... as i have a Big Dummy for real hauling)
fenders
racks
panniers
frame bags
etc...

crawdaddio

I bought a LHT for exactly the same situations. Well, not EXACTLY, I might be doing some long touring next year.
This is the most comfortable bike that I have ridden.

But anyway, I was a little leery because of all the 'it's a tank, not zippy at all' talk. I went to a LBS to test one out, and as stock, it is much lighter that I expected. Add a couple of racks and a basket or my panniers and yes, it gets heavy, but not outrageously. On my commutes, I strap some rain gear, lock, etc.. to the racks (surly nice racks) via bunjee nets, and a tool kit to the saddle, and I average about 16MPH. With little wind it is easy to cruise at 19-20 MPH. I am running the stock 38 contis. If I switch to some 32 or even (maybe) 28 schwalbe marathons, it should be even faster.

I also heard: 'this bike is not good for out of saddle sprinting'. Also bupkus. It doesn't handle as twitchily as my track(ish) kilo, but I have no problem with hammering out of the saddle, and it feels quite nimble even when moderately loaded. I have avoided a few close calls by zipping in and out of traffic.

My point is that the LHT handles much better than I expected as a commuter. And I know that it can take the abuse of touring when I choose to, so I am happy.

I almost went with the Aurora elite, and I think that would be a fine choice for your needs as well. More expensive though, at least locally. I haven't ridden a cross check, but I am under the impression that it wouldn't be as good as the LHT for touring.

chewybrian 

Nice bike. What bags do you have on there? they look big and waterproof, no?

BengeBoy 

+1

I don't own one, but this bike (the Aurora Elite) recently caught my attention and I think it's a great value. The OP mentioned the Salsa Casserroll - both of these bikes are about $1500 (I think).

If you wanted to spend more money, then something like the Co-Motion Norwester or Norwester Tour would be interesting (both considerably more - about $3500).

LeeG

specialized tricross, it sounds like 90% of your riding is without weight on the bike and comfort is a priority. It's a light comfortable bike. The Surly LHT is for carrying weight, if you aren't,,why get it?

I have a LHT and don't think of it as a tank,,but I'm kind of tank like these days so maybe that's why.

I've only ridden a tri-cross a few times am not familiar with other bikes but it feels amazing how damped it is and solid at the same time. I could imagine riding with some Pasela TG or Schwalbe marathon racers for a comfortable ride.

bugly64

I could not, in good conscienous, ride this bike. It belongs on display behind an inpenetrable security system.

funurdiesel

I recommend the specialized tricross sport to do it all.

adaminlc

+1 Love my CC, but in retrospect I wish I had bought the Pacer. I rode a Pacer, CC and LHT and went with the CC. Now I wish I had gone with the Pacer. Probably just buyers remorse, though.

AsanaCycles

panniers are NOVARA Safari

frame bag, "fuel cell" and handle bar bag are from Carousel Design Works. as well as the seat bag, which Jeff calls an Escape Pod, which is a Medium. www.CarouselDesignworks.com

AsanaCycles

albeit, i do love this bike, and its 100% custom measured to my inseam, the bends, the whole thing...

however... its a bike, and its made to ride.
whats fancy? carbon cranks, Sram X.O rear derailleur and thats really it.

wheels MAVIC Speedcity, I see them on Ebay for under $200 for the set... that is common.
the handle bar is just an On-One Mary bar, mounted upside down.
it has AVID BB7's

oh it has AVID Ultimate Speed Dials, those are a bit on the fancy side.
the saddle is a Regal, not a Brooks.
Thudbuster seatpost
a CK headset

it is a nice bike... by far
i'd say my nicest bike ever, and i've had some silly high end bikes...

believe me, its made to ride
its got 2 top tubes, and when i was sitting with Rick, i told him to emphasize durability
I'm 175lbs, and that the bike should handle 50lbs of gear in panniers and of course handle that in the dirt.

i have not weighted it, and have had it for about a year now. I'd expect it to be close to 30lbs.

it sure is a purdy one, aint it...

the other option, i was thinking was a Surly Karate Monkey, and pretty much do exactly what I've done with The Hunter.

bugly64

Those double row tubes and custom bars look like a relaxed Madmax beachcruiser.
I put this together for the relaxed don't get too far in front of the family ute bike.


I have grown to know that I can't have a do it all bike. That's why I have a folder
a fat tire disk brake mtb, and a fully loaded capable CrossxCheck.