Questions about the LHT
 

I am looking about getting a new bike, and was looking at a Long Haul Trucker. I started looking at the LHT and then I looked at my current bike, a trek 614, and there are not much differences between the bikes. I am looking to doing some short tours this summer so would the trek, work for it? I am looking at dropping down the the tires from a 27 to a 26 with a wider tire. Any suggestions?

There are some differences that make the LHT more desirable, like the longer chainstays and lower gearing. I don't know about the geometry, since I don't know what size bike you ride. With all that said, the 614 could be very doable. Depending on what you will be carrying and the terrain you will be riding. I prefer the cantilever brakes when fully loaded. I also like bar end shifters for touring bikes.

About the tire size, you want to change your 27" wheels for 26" wheels? Or do you mean if you get the LHT you will get a 26" wheel version? Getting brakes to fit your 26" wheels could be problematic. You'd probably need some long BMX brakes, in my opinion, that would not result in good braking, especially when loaded.

http://www.vintage-trek.com/images/trek/Trek3.pdf
Is the link to the old brochure of the 614 that I have. the difference is pretty much the components.
I want to change out the wheels because I dont have the clearance with the 27s to put a wider tire on. I am looking at getting either a 52 or a 54 LHT. I am only 5-8, so that kinda sticks me with the 26 tires on the LHT.

Actually, there is more differences than the components. The geometries are different, The LHT has more water bottle braze-ons, The chainstays are longer, it has braze-ons for front low-riders, it has cantilever mounts, etc. For shorter riders, I actually like the geometry of the 614 better than the LHT. But, because of the shorter chainstays, no low-rider braze-ons and caliper brakes, I like the LHT for loaded touring.

I also would not recommend even trying to get 26" wheels in the Trek. You most likely won't be able to get brakes to reach the rims and if you did, you will have poor braking even when not loaded down with gear.

Now, if you are credit card touring, I think the Trek would be a great bike to use, but with the original 27" wheels.

mthayer,
I have been using a Schwinn Voyageur touring bike with 27" tires for a number of years and use it to commute 50 miles round trip. This summer I bought a 52cm LHT with 26" tires. (I'm 5' 8" too) Thought I would be slower..turned out to be wrong. No speed or effort difference at all. Go for the LHT..get it fit for you and enjoy!

27" to a mountain bike 26" ? Your bottom bracket would be so low I don't think you could ride the bike safely. Did you mean a 27" to 700c swap? If so, that is usually much easier to do. Your current brakes have to be able to move downward another 4 mm or you'll need longer reach brakes.

You'll need a decent amount of clearance already with your 27's since the swap doesn't give you a lot of extra clearance....just more tire options to purchase.

As previous folks have mentioned, the LHT will have likely have more rack/fender eyelets and a wider wheelbase, which is nice for touring. You can tour with anything though, you might just have to sacrifice certain things.