Anybody Love The Surly Long Haul Trucker?

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09-09-04, 06:53 PM

#51

Phatman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Patch29

I picked mine up today. It is not yet finished. I still need to add the racks and a few items, but no time for that at the moment. I am heading to New England for the next few days to camp and ride. I am looking forward to breaking in the new ride. I have only gone 2.6 miles so far, but I really like it. It feels much quicker than my old bike, but I have yet to load it down. I sure it will feel great. I am very happy that I decided to get a new bike, now it is time to get riding. It is not as finely finished as murraylove's, but it will work great for me. I had Cinelli Lux bar tape put on, I like how it lights up at night. I also have a set of Schwalbe Marathon tires to put on it, when I get a chance. They are black walled with a 1/4"+ silver reflective stripe on them, so I guess I have gone with the black and silver look. In a few months I may get the frame hacked to add S&S coupling so I can fly much easier with the bike. That is still to be decided. I do like the frame color much more in person, but it is still not my first or second or ... choice for colors, but it looks good and if I have it hacked I can repaint it then. The bike is mostly XT, Dura-ace bar cons, Avid shorty 4's and I added cyclocross levers too. I hope to get some good riding in and report back on how the bike feels loaded, hopefully I can ride the BRP this November (maybe the cars will be gone by then). These are just a few quick photos I took before it gets dirty over the next week.

with a little flash, in the dark the handlebar should stand out very well.

More photos can be found here with larger versions available to see the details.

I like it. one thing, though. I see a lot of stem spacers...why not just a higher-rise stem?

09-09-04, 07:34 PM

#52

Istanbul_Tea

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Quote:

Originally Posted by balto charlie

Hey Istanbultea: I like the gordons but...the size?? 54cm is the biggest frame? I'm just looking into buying a tourer and thought I should be in the 58-60cm size. (I'm 6ft, 34.5 inseam). Why such small bikes?? Charlie

Call Bruce...

Those listed sizes are pretty irrelevent because Bruce requires you to either fill out his sizing form or call him directly with your measurements.

09-09-04, 07:36 PM

#53

Istanbul_Tea

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Patch-

Nice looking ride... congrats! 2 things-

1. As someone already mentioned... perhaps a steeper stem?

2. Or, black spacers?

Otherwise, nice job on what looks to be a good, solid, low budget tourer!!

09-09-04, 08:00 PM

#54

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatman

I like it. one thing, though. I see a lot of stem spacers...why not just a higher-rise stem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istanbul_Tea

Thanks, I do not know where I want the bar so we left the stem uncut and put the spacers in so I can try a few different settings on the road. When I figure it out I will have it finished off. Black is a good idea, it is a lot of stem at the moment, but it works. I have never had a real touring set up so I want to get some miles in first like this. I was also pushing it for getting my new ride in time for my trip this week, so I took what I could get. It is much more comfortable so far than what I had set up on my other bike. Time to get that first century (I have done a metric, but time to do it right).

I need to add some weight to it too, it should handle it very well.

09-09-04, 11:38 PM

#55

jonnygold

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beautiful bike Patch - and it will look even better with some mud on it.

just ordered my own lht frame and am getting all excited abt it and the fact that this will be my first build. Curious to know what gearings you went for .... ? I'd like to copy my last tourer, which was 11-32 rear / 28-38-48 front and worked well for me even in the Alps and Pyrenees.

09-10-04, 12:03 AM

#56

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnygold

Thanks, I should be seeing some mud this weekend.

My gearing is currently stock XT 44-32-22, 11-34, so it is very low. I will need to hit some big hills with a full load to see if it is too low and I need to bump up the front. My old bike had 52-42-30 and was not always low enough. I rarely used my 52 especially with weight, so I am trying something very different.

09-10-04, 10:50 AM

#57

Revtor

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Nice ride man!

full mountain gearing will give you alot of flexibility.. although 22-34! wow a real creeper gear. : )

have fun.. what are you plaiining on doing about racks and bags?

rock on
~Steve

09-10-04, 12:29 PM

#58

roadfix

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Sweet ride, Patch29......

09-10-04, 04:17 PM

#59

schooltheworld

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it's so nice to start seeing these lht's being built up.

very nice ride patch...now, i need one.

09-12-04, 08:59 PM

#60

Patch29

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Here it is with Jandd racks and Arkel panniers. The more I ride it the more I like it. I met some friends camping in New Hampshire this weekend and was able to take it for a ride on some mixed terrain from fast dirt roads, to washboard roads, steep hills and finally on some rough/muddy ATV trails. It handled everything very well. Tomorrow I should get a chance to ride on the road and see how it handles a longer distance. I am definitely starting to love my Long Haul Trucker.

09-13-04, 10:17 AM

#61

Revtor

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hubba hubba nice bike!

itll get better and better!!

~Steve

09-13-04, 11:58 PM

#62

schooltheworld

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patch,
now that you've done some loaded riding can you give me you thoughts on the 22-32-44 gearing you have on your new surly now and how you feel it compares to your previous gearing?

09-14-04, 06:30 PM

#63

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by schooltheworld

patch,
now that you've done some loaded riding can you give me you thoughts on the 22-32-44 gearing you have on your new surly now and how you feel it compares to your previous gearing?

So far I am happy with the gearing. I rode 36 miles today, almost hit a deer going down a hill at 30mph at noon, that would have not gone well. I was riding in a much hillier area than were I live so the low gearing was very helpful. I am not in the best shape for long distance touring, yet. I am also trying to get my saddle position right, which seems to be taking more effort than it should, so it is not helping my speed. I probably had about 40 lbs between the panniers and water, so I did ok, but was whipped when I was finished. I averaged just over 10 mph and had an average cadence of 80 for my ride. I usually average about 12mph at home with the same cadence. All those hills did propel me to a high speed of 42mph. I will probably drop the panniers tomorrow to give myself an easier day. Hopefully it will help me focus on getting my saddle position right.

09-17-04, 10:12 AM

#64

Rico

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I have built up LHT. I will post a picture of it when I figure out my new digital camera. I have not taken it on a tour yet so I don't know how it rides loaded. I have had a problem with my knee so I have not done much riding this summer.

09-24-04, 01:41 AM

#65

hakka_lugi

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Blue skies and tailwinds to you all!!! What a great thread.

My LHT is built, although not complete untill I shelac the handlebars. Here's my build:

60cm frame

Fork Surly Rigid 1-1/8", Sage Green <---painted crown black w/ white fill, enamel
Headset $20 Aheadset, Black
Stem $9 Ritchey, Black
Handlebar $15 Nashbar, Black
Brakes $20 Nashbar, Black
Brake Levers used Dia-comp 287, Black
Front Derailleur $25 Shimano 105 Triple 28.6mm, Black
Rear Derailleur used Shimano XT, Black
Shift Levers used Shimano Barcons, Grey
Cassette $20 Nashbar 13-32T, Silver
Chain $10 SRAM
Crankset Shimano $50 cheapo 175, Black
Chainrings Shimano steel 30T/42T/, $23 FSA 46T, Black
Bottom Bracket $20 Shimano UN-73 68 x 118.5mm
Wheel $35 hubset Shimano Deore/ $30 Delgado, 36h, 4X, 15 guage
Tires $16 set Panaracer ctx737, 700 x 37c
Saddle Brooks Pro, Honey
Seatpost $15 Nashbar, Black
Inline Brakes $20 Salsa
Fenders Full Wood Surfer ltd

Last edited by hakka_lugi; 09-26-04 at 06:00 PM.

09-25-04, 09:04 PM

#66

jordache

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Would it be too unreasonable for one to use a Surly Cross-Check touring? I'm going to be riding the bike a lot around the city and trails before I take it out on the road with camping gear. Is the geometry difference in frames a lot to worry about? I'm also keen on getting a cyclocross bike (besides my use of it before a tour is possible) because I plan on traveling to places with dirt roads, etc.

09-26-04, 12:27 AM

#67

hakka_lugi

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jordache

It is not an unreasonable consideration. The Cross Check is the ultimate do-all bike. It works. I've done an ultralight, mini-tour on my x-check. I thought that the bottom bracket rode a little too high. Other than that no probs.

09-26-04, 03:01 AM

#68

capsicum

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jordache

I'm also keen on getting a cyclocross bike (besides my use of it before a tour is possible) because I plan on traveling to places with dirt roads, etc.

I don't see anything wrong with the geometry of a cyclocross but most of them are built with fun and raceing in mind thus they don't have braze ons for rack/pannier attachment. This is no problem if you plan on using a trailer like the B.O.B. which attaches to the axle or are just doing light-load touring where you can use a rack that clamps on near the axle and near the seatpost. [EDIT add] A good backpack works well for light-load touring as well.[EDIT again add]

Touring bikes can generaly handle dirt roads very nicely, see post #60 by Patch29 in this thread, cyclocross are a specific design because a CX race requires lots of dismounting and carrying the bike as well as quick handling.

Last edited by capsicum; 09-26-04 at 03:10 AM.

09-26-04, 05:54 AM

#69

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by capsicum

I had swapped out tires to a Ritchey Excavader (35) for the dirt and they helped a lot. It did everything well, once the ATV trail got steep I tended to lose traction. I also had to pay attention to my pedals catching on something since they are lower than my mountain bike. I could see myself getting a Surly Cross-Check in the future to use in the dirt, but keep it lighter, no racks, etc. The Surly Cross-Check does have both front and rear rack eyelets. I cannot tell from their website if the front fork has a mid eyelet or not. I had written Surly about some LHT questions and they responded fairly quickly, so you could check with them or ask in the Cyclocross forum. I am sure one of the CC owners there could let you know. I think if you geared the CC with a front triple it would be fine for touring, heavy or lightweight would determine how low your gearing should be.

Now that I have had my LHT for a couple weeks, I am finally feeling as though I am fitting well with the bike. It took me a little while to get used to sitting up more, but now I like it. I still need to go back to my LBS and have them look at it. I may also play a little with the handlebar height when I am there. Now all I need to do is to log some miles, getting myself in shape, so I can start doing longer mileage days. I am still happy with my choice for gearing, both with and without the panniers. My cadence consistently averages 80 rpm.

09-26-04, 07:51 AM

#70

capsicum

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Ah yes braze-ons front and rear, no mid fork eyelets.(I suppose you could get a LHT fork) Being Surly they are probably rugged rack-strength braze-ons but there is a possibility that they are for fenders only. I've seen pictures with two pair of rear eyelet braze-ons and pics with one pair(even on their own site), so I sent them an email to clairify the whole eyelet braze-on number and strength question, I will post their response here.

09-28-04, 12:34 AM

#71

barolo

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Just found this thread today - you folks with the surly, your rigs look gorgeous!

Patch, have you tried your avid shorties in the rain yet? I had shorty 4's on my touring/commuter (may it rest in peace - an SUV killed it last year). They worked well until the rain hit, then they morphed into the most godawful squeal pigs. The sound used to stop traffic. Didn't matter how much toe-in, or which pads I used. I hope that mine were an aberration, perhaps a bad fit with my particular frame, and that yours do not give you any auditory grief.

09-29-04, 11:57 AM

#72

RainmanP

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Patch,
IMHO, there is no such thing as gears too low. Nobody holds a gun to your head to make you use them, but they are always there is you need them. Ever hear anyone curse and say "Damn, sure wish I had that 53/11!"

FWIW,
Raymond

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09-29-04, 12:35 PM

#73

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by barolo

Patch, have you tried your avid shorties in the rain yet?

I have not, yet. When I ride in the city I tend to try and avoid riding on rainy days, too many accidents on the streets. I hope to ride on the BRP this fall and I am sure I will find out then. My front brake squeaks a little at the moment, but it is not too bad and hopefully when I get a few more miles in, a quick adjustment will take care of it.

09-29-04, 12:38 PM

#74

Patch29

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Quote:

Originally Posted by RainmanP

FWIW,
Raymond

That is true. I have found that my 22F/34R (700c) is a lot of gear. I rode recently on some very steep hills, with F&R panniers (~40lbs) and it worked out fine. I just need to get in better shape for long steep hills. If it was much steeper I think I would be walking/pushing. I can still move pretty fast (for a touring bike) with a 44/11.