Surly LHT sizing / configuration input requested
 

Finally getting close to pulling trigger on LHT purchase. Thinking LHT complete, Surly Racks front and rear, fenders, and possibly dyno hub / lights. Primarily will use for Touring, Long Distance riding (centuries), and occasional long commute (35 miles one way). Unfortunately my LBS doesn’t stock them so no option to try sizes.

Couple questions / things want opinion on.

I am 5'10" barefoot. PBH (pubic bone height) = 87cm. Per info, and google group lht size spreadsheet seems most similar are using a 56 or 58. More seem to use 56...but i am leaning to 58 based on articles read about people typically choosing too small bike and my slightly longer than average arms. Seem reasonable? How much “real” difference would I hypothetically feel or notice between the two sizes?

The uncut steerer tube…guess I am concerned when reading some posts about telling LBS not to cut until dialed in seat / handlebar adjustments. I am looking for a relaxed setup…bars no lower than seat height to bit higher. Ok so really dumb non-mechanical question here…can they build the whole bike with uncut steerer tube and just have spacers ? Does that give most flexibility to adjust bars up and down? do you have to figure out height and cut off excess or can it just jut up some?

Lastly…what’s good choice for fenders that most bike shops can order (ie something in QBP)?

Thanks for input.

Just to give you an idea.... I'm the same height and I couldn't fit a 56. To long for me. You really need to try one out if possible. I didn't get the LHT because of this... I wanted to run 700C wheels and it's not an option in the 54 that fit.

That being said.. some people love 26" wheels.

YMMV because of body dimensions and saddle to bar drop preference.

kyakdiver

I too ride relatively upright. My LBS installed an uncut fork and it looks like this. On a touring specific frame, might not need this many spacers. Not real pretty, but totally functional.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=138829

FWIW, I'm of very similar dimensions and I can make either the 54 or 56 work for me but not the 58, since its effective top tube is way too long. As it is, with the 56, my stem has to be fairly short if I want to use drops. Unless you have the upper torso of a more primitive primate, or you like to be stretched out, the 56 will give you the more relaxed upper body position you say you seek but again this is just conjecture, go test ride and you will know.

advice:

Dont get surly boat anchors (racks) if you want to ride centuries.

do you have a bike now? does it fit? can you extrapolate measurements from that?

as far as the steerer goes: buy it uncut, it will be ridiculously long.... Cut some off to leave it long enough to be bigger than youll ever really want, but not ridiculous. When youve ridden the bike for 3-6 months and know where it needs to be, cut it to the right length.

This.

It doesn't matter whether you buy a 56 CM or the 58 CM frame as you can swap out the stem to adjust for the proper reach. The size difference of only 2 CM is nothing so if stand over height isn't an issue then you could buy either one.

The guy is 5'10" tall. Unless he's got arms like an ape a 58 is going to be huge. The 58 really 58.6... so it's closer to a 59.

Even the 54 has a longer TT than my old Jamis Aurora in a true 55. Really look at the geometry of the Surly bikes close.

I'm not telling him what frame to buy, my point is that a frame size difference is no big deal which it isn't if his range is 54 / 56 or 56 / 58 I don't know but if he's close, he won't have any trouble tweaking it. I ride a smallish frame 54 (I'm 5'-10") but I also have a 130mm stem. I could have gone with a 56 cm frame and a shorter stem and been fine but like I said it was a wheel issue at the time.

ok i think you guys have convinced me of getting a 56. think will go order it tomorrow.

Positron - re the "dont get boat anchors if you want to ride centuries"....not too worried about it...ride 70+ rides on a fixed steel bike and live in the relatively flat midwest (climbing is really where the weight comes in to play more)...not too worried about a couple extra pounds...hell i can lose more than that if i take a healthy #$%! lol...seriously though kind of looking for a bullet proof package and definitely not a weight weenie when it comes to bikes...i do it for fitness and fun not neccessarily speed...have a better suggestion on racks?

Tubus Cargo or Logo(personal favorite)... for the rear. I like the tara for the front but it doesn't have a front shelf if you want one.

Try out the fit calculator on competitive cyclist's site... fairly accurate

It sounds like you are on the right track. I'm almost 6', oh well really 5'11.5"; and I rode the 58 cm LHT only twice for a short time. I am building one now in 58cm. I really vacillated about getting the 58 or a 56.
My point is that the 58 felt about at the max. of what I think I'd be comfortable on. It did have a 120mm stem, and I plan on using a 90mm which is close to an inch shorter. The LBS that I rode at left the steerer tube uncut, and it really did not look too bad. If you interpolate all the antedodal information from all our posts, it seems like your choice was a good one. How about letting us know how it turns out!

+1 Go Tubus. They are lighter with enough capacity and can be found cheaper than the Surly's. The Surly racks are porkers. My LHT dropped almost 3 lbs by getting rid of the Surly Nice Racks front and rear for a Tubus Cargo and a Jannd low rider front. I like the rear Surly better than the front. The angled brackets they use for mounting at the weakest link and if you have a problem it will be with those.

Download the dimensions from the Surly site, take them to a shop with an adjustable fitting bike setup, and have them dial in both sizes, and try them (on the trainer).

Be aware that Surly measure their frames differently from all other manufacturers. They take the measurement from the centre of the BB to where the seat tube meets the top tube, whereas others take it from the BB to the top of the seat tube. This adds about a centimetre to the stated size.

Just out of curiosity have you seen this? http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...s0XLxM31WpvkCw It might help you and you can see what other people ride and view comments.

We are about the same size and I ride a 56 comfortably. I have planet bike cascadias on mine and I like my boat anchors...the LHT is a pack mule not a racehorse.

I am 5' 10 and a half and about the same pbh as you. I got the 56 last summer and glad I didn't go with the 58. It would have been too close on the pbh. Like the others said, you can dial in the rest of the fit. I think I could probably ride the 54 comfortably too. On the fenders, I got the aluminum ones from Velo Orange and they look good. A little more time consuming installing them, but they're nice and tight and fit the 700 C tires well.

I am 5'10.5 and I am comfortable on my 56 cm LHT. I think a 54 cm would work just as well for me but on a 58 cm, I would be too stretched out.

I am convinced....56 it is....going to go order it after work today (or tomrorow if Iget distracted by a friday happy hour!) Fun stuff...love geting a new bike...although probably should get rid of some sincewill now be up to 5 (with 2 i didnt even ride once last year)...wife is starting to look at me cross eyed like I am some old lady with a zillion cats. I think with LHT I could consolidate down to my fixie and recumbent and ditch the old mountain bike and Road bike. thanks for allthe input in sizing...ideally I would have been able to test ride...but no one nearby stocks them.

I'm 6'1" have a 58 LHT, I'm a little stretched out, or it could be just the way I ride. For fit, we found a bike in the store with the exact same dimensions, wich happened to be a 60 road bike and rode it for fit. I'm still adjusting a little at a time for comfort

I'm 5'8", PBH 84cm and got a 54 with a 75mm stem. Works great. Its a great bike. I should also think the 56 would be better than the 58 for you.

Hey Deepak,

How is your LHT working out? Have you taken it on any tours yet?

Doug

Hi Doug,

One short 3 day 260km tour. Loved it. Back to training on my road bike, but like you said this can get addictive. My wife already loves touring after the one tour, and I had to practically beg her to try it.

It will also be my rain bike as it has fenders.

Planning a tour in France in Aug/Sep, but before that some non touring cycling in Wales in May. Looks like the year will be nice :-)

woohoo...ordered my LHT...blue 56 - 700 tires...in stock..LBS says should have in 3 days...asked them top elave steere uncut until i come in...cant wait! think i am probably going to go the tubus cargo rear rack and Jannd front (I want shelf infront too)...cannot wait! now just need spring to get here sooner!

Congrats on the new ride. Post some pictures when you get a chance.

kyakdiver

What kind of touring are you planning? Rear panniers hold a lot of stuff, so if you have not toured before, it might not be a bad idea to do a tour and then see if you need a front rack at all.

as much as I like the Tubus Cargo I'd suggest a rear rack with lower rails. It makes a big difference for attaching/removing panniers or things sitting on the rack when the panniers can sit seperately from items tied on top of the rack. I'm not familiar with a Tubus Cosmo but Topeak makes a dual rail rear rack that works well. If I get groceries with the Cargo and Ortliebs and want to get a bag of charcoal I'll have to put some paper or cushion over the Ortlieb clips or they'll tear into the charcoal bag. Same thing with a rack trunk when I get to where I'm going I can't remove the panneirs until what's strapped on the rack is removed. With dual rail racks you can leave what's attached to the rack and remove the panniers

i would get the tubus logo for two reasons:

1) lower rails - not too big a deal, but it makes it easier to have a loaded top platform, and still access top load panniers....
2) No bend at the front of the rack... so you can load stuff under your saddle, which is a good place to carry weight.

I use a tubus duo on the front, and it rules.

As far as front panniers go: You don't NEED them for packable volume, but most bikes handle 100% better with a weighted front end.... My GF and I just got back from a dirt road tour over a mountain pass here in AZ, about 150 miles in three days ( avg temp 75 and sunny :P ) and I use four bags, front and rear. SHe uses only rear panniers and had a harder time on the climbs, where her front end would lift, preventing her from being able to stand and climb easily. On the descents her bike was a lot less stable than mine, i could ride one or no handed while she had to really hold her bike in line. On pavement its not as critical, but i would rather have four half full bags, than two stuffed back bags... I ride my loaded bike no handed all the time on pavement- which is only possible (in my case) with a loaded front end and the slower steering that comes along with that.

I also had the room to carry home a horse skull and a cow skull that we found up in a wash in the mountains... so it might be nice to have a little extra capacity :)