my new Surly LHT
 

This is my dream bike, I finally found the frame last fall and it is now a reality. Tell me what you think :)

Photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/morry32...CO63yJqhx9-EAg

Components

Surly 2005 Long Haul Trucker 58cm
Chris King headset
Brooks B-17 saddle
Surly Front Nice Rack
Topeak Tourist DX rear rack (Tubus Logo: backordered)
Hope Pro II Evo hubs
DT Swiss THS40 rims
Schwalbe marathon II Plus Tour tires (700x35)
Ritchey Pro Biomax bars
Avid Tektro linear pull brakes
Shimano Dura-Ace 9 Speed Bar-end Shifters
Shimano Deore M591 Crankset 22/36/48 - 9spd cassette 12-36t
Pletscher Two-leg Kickstand

still missing front panniers, a second stem and straight bar, and a water bottle small enough to fit under the downtube

How do you like those bars? I've been considering something curvier than what I have and this is one of the candidates.

What's special about the 2005 LHT frame?

Clearly you went all out on this one. Great bike.

Nice color good job.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, that's a great build. Curious why you went with the MTB crank over a standard triple?

Where did the head badge off another bike come from?


to above Q?, A: load hauling you need low gears more than high ones.

Very nice bike! Something to aspire to. Hope you have many happy hours in the saddle.

Very nice! How's the ride?

You made me realize my 2010 LHT is now a seasoned ride for me. All dialed in and raring to go. Oh, I leave on Wednesday. Take me there, to MI my friend.

Hi

Very nice build indeed. Well done on getting it together.

Andrew

The bars are amazing, obviously I got them as wide as possible. I probably wouldn't have gotten the curvier except that my Fixed Gear has these https://picasaweb.google.com/morry32...43801085919442

And by looking at my Soma Rush, you will notice what is so special about the 2005 LHT frame- COLOR!

I wanted to customize the chain ring for the mountains where I will be doing most of my shorter fully loaded trips

The head badge was put on by the original owner. The story I was told was that he wanted to replace the Surly sticker and found the badge in a box in the back of a LBS.

Compared to my fixie it is like riding a lazyboy. It is so dialed in that I can't imagine an easier bike to ride but with only 200 miles in the saddle it is hard to say just yet.



I can't believe there wasn't a single negative comment in the first ten comments, I must have done something right.

I thought of it like a Trailways Bus more than a bike. Oh, reflectors! Get some SOLAS reflective tape and put it on the backs of the fenders and a couple pieces on the inside of the rims.

Yeah, this is Bike Porn. Nice ride. Those tires - a little aggressive for most pavement?

I'm not sure how aggressive I would call them, they are nice for changes in road conditions for sure and it is nice to not have to worry to much about goathead thorns

morry32, you have one sexy bike. :D

Can you share your thoughts on why you chose those tires? Where is your general touring region? USA or Europe or Africa or Asia?

I'm trying to figure out which tires to get and I'm really torn on this. I'm trying to figure out if I should get the same tires as yours or the Marathon Supremes for North Africa which has a mixture of paved and dirt/gravel pathways.

Yeah, me too. No, wait - not North Africa... I'm getting a tourer ready for the Katy Trail, trying to find the best compromise between durability, weight and price.

Nice bike, almost a twin to MINE!:thumb:

Truly a beautiful bike that has been carefully thought out. I would love to see an update now that you've had for a while and put some miles on it.

I have the Marathon Plus on another bike and they are truly bulletproof; I would imagine that they are reassuring while on tour and very versatile for pavement and light gravel excursions. I'm building a similar touring platform and went with the Marathon Racers this time in 700x38; I've also had great experiences with the Marathon Supremes on other bikes.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=383913

Well done! Beautiful bike. Congrats and enjoy.

Looks to me like the OP has not been on bikeforums for a few years.

Damn nice.

You're build quality is marvelous.

I built up a DT last year, not quite as top shelf. It has treated me quite well.

Next time I tear mine down I'm going to copy your cable runs!