phlatphrog

I'm on the verge of purchasing a new surly trucker deluxe. Originally I was thinking of a troll and having s&s couplers installed, but then I decided (see this discussion) to do a disc trucker and have s&s couplers installed. When I realized what it was going to cost to get the paint fixed, I decided I could survive with rim brakes, and decided to go for a trucker deluxe. Then I had the brilliant idea to do an Alfine 11 speed hub. I just got a quote from my LBS, and here's the part list they proposed:

• Shimano Deore M590 Linear Pull Brakes, Silver
• Handspun Comp Series 3 Front Wheel 26" 32h Shimano LX Silver / DT X450 Black / DT Champion Silver
• Deore M590 9 speed 175mm 2-pcs 26-36-48 Silver Crankset; Bottom Bracket Included (option to run a front derailleur later, remove the inner and outer for now)
• Shimano Deore M590 V-brake Lever Set, Black
• Alfine 11-spd Rapidfire Shifter Black SL-S700
• DT Swiss XR425 (RIM) 32h Mountain Rim Brake 26" Black
• Surly Trucker Deluxe Frameset 54cm Deep Water Blue
• Ritchey Quick Disconnect
• Ritchey Logic Pro 1-1/8" Threadless Black
• ConneX 908 Nickel-plated 9 speed Chain
• Alfine 11 speed 32 hole silver hub
• Dt Swiss spokes and Nipples

I don't want to get into their particular prices, but I am curious what people think of this set of parts. Anything overkill/not good enough. (I have seat post, saddle, bar, stem, etc, which I'll put in the mix, so that's why those are not in this list.) I'll be selecting some 2" tires at some point, but that's so easy to change later I'm not worrying about it right now.

The goal is to have a fairly bombproof take anywhere, do anything bike. I doubt I'll actually do anything like biking around the world, or even across a couple states, but I could easily end up packing+unpacking this bike 8 times in a year. It might go on the plane with me, or it might go in the mail before me.

TIA for your thoughts/advice

10 Wheels

Go with 24-36-48 chain rings.

36 spoke wheels.

fuzz2050

With an IGH you should end up with very little dish, so I'm not sure you really need the 36 spokes, but it certainly can't hurt. if you can get the hub and rim in 36, you might as well.

fietsbob

not sure what the hub chainline is, may not line up with middle chainring..

A 3 piece square taper type crank will let you choose the chainline, adjust by which BB is chosen.

Own a R'off hub .. its a wide chainline , they are 54 [or 58 for the 13t]

Bene sugg in book is to use outer chainring position,
I have 2 bikes 127 wide BB to use the middle & a chainguard outer ..

LeeG

When I think of "bombproof" for touring on a rear wheel I don't think of a 21.8mm wide 425gram rim. That's what I'd pick for racing with the idea it could be replaced when trashed in a race. 36 spokes with a 24mm-27mm rim seems more along the lines of bombproof for a rim brake bike used for touring.

Given the range for 26" rims is about 400-600grams I'd put a 425gram rim on the not-bombroof end of the scale with a 550gram RhynoLite or 630gram Salsa Gordo on the bombproof end of the scale.

Chris Pringle

+1 on this crankset/chainring combo, but be careful on the chain line with such crankset if you're using an IGH, especially the Alfine 11. I believe there are some discussions on MTBR or BentRiderOnline that discuss this topic more in depth. Apparently there's minimum/maximum you need to maintain for efficiency. I'm sure you've done your research on IGH. May I ask why you've narrowed it down to an Alfine 11 for touring (even off-road) purposes? My understanding is that this IGH is great for commuting in the city (even hilly ones), but I've read it is prone to issues (even failure!) for off-road purposes and loaded touring. Even Shimano will tell you not to do it as per this recent discussion on MTBR. Unless you save for a Rohloff ($$$!!) or wait for NuVinci to come out with a wider range hub, I personally would stick with a good ole derailleur for the time being: Shimano XT being the No. 1 choice for such bike like yours... a go anywhere bike.

BTW, nice choice of frame and options: 26" wheels, S&S, etc. Yes, +1 that it would be nice if the disc trucker had an S&S option from the factory.

AdamDZ

I've read several times that, except for Rohloff, IGHs are not designed for high-torque applications and that includes long climbs on a loaded bike. Is that true?

MassiveD

I would have built using the older Shimano IGH hub, but the 11 I just don't know about. What I do recall is that as every improvement came out, there would be a warning that it wasn't ready for this or that, and then the boys would run it, and by and large it would not crash on them. Not really a contradiction since they aren't bombproof either.

That said, I would go Rohloff. You have already thrown the fullish toy package at it, and it only makes sense at this point to spend the extra, which is not that bad, which then leads to the idea of going to a frame designed expressly for the Rohloff. I sure wouldn't go to the expense of S&S myself, unless the rest of the stuff is up to the grade. I wouldn't actually put that on a Surly, but most people won't argue there. To put all those toys on a bike with a C class drive train just doesn't make sense. These day C class is pretty good, but it is like an episode of this old house. You get the foundation right before throwing a lot of money in Granite counter tops, and glass tiles. Wheels, drivetrain, brakes, seat, and fit.

MassiveD

I wouldn't run 2" tires on an LHT either, 1.5 will do anything it was really intended for, and if I really needed 2" tires, I would be wondering whether I had the right frame.

fietsbob

Even Rohloff warns you off running a too small a chainring [2.35:1]
fortunately 1st, is 0,279:1.

the 38:16 in a 26" wheel is fine.. As is any bigger chainring , and a smaller wheel.




so a 406 wheel and a 38/53 double, will be OK, because you are reducing the wheel size
not reducing the external drive ratio. the 16:53 in the 20" wheel feels like same range,
as the 16:39 in the 26" wheel.

would add 3 lower gears , a 12.4, 14 & 16 [18 is like the hub low in the big chainring]
and 3 more on the top end, the rest is overlap..

Chris Pringle

+1 about putting a Rohloff on a frame specifically designed for it. Based on his wish list, it seems to me that the O.P. wants to build a "gravel grinder" touring bike. These are touring bikes that:

* You can use easily on paved roads
* Will excel on off-road touring mainly on forest (fire) roads. You can even take 'em on a cross-country singletrack, if needed.
* You can fit tires up to 2.1 with fenders and up to 2.4" w/o fenders.
* To make these big tires stop on a dime, gravel grinders usually have disc brakes, although a few come with all the braze-ons for V-brakes or Canti brakes, so you can switch to these older brake technologies if that's your preference.
* Braze-ons for a Rohloff IGH cables and necessary design for chain tensioning.
* You know you can put panniers and not have any heel strike/toe strike issues
* If you ever need to fly to/from an exotic destination, you can use S&S couplers and disassemble the bike and avoid heavy fees or, worst, avoid your bike from not flying because you'll be on a puddle jumper and they won't allow anything over 62 linear inches.

Is this what you're looking for? MTBR has videos of these bikes. They are an amalgamation of touring (road) bikes, cyclo-cross and mountain bikes. Apparently, they were really popular at NAHBS last month and the guys who run MTBR predict this is going to be the next big thing in cycling. Unfortunately, almost all of these bikes are built by small custom frame builders/manufacturers. As others indicate, you might be the perfect candidate to invest your money in a frame/bike like this. I, too, would not put a Rohloff in anything less than a dedicated (custom) frame for it.

LeeG

when it comes to rough or dirt roads, a big load or big rider 1.5" isn't enough cushion or traction.

MassiveD

I'm heavy, and I can run 1.5 in most road, rail, and dirt conditions. But as you say all tires get outclassed at some point. I just wouldn't run an LHT at that point.

fietsbob

Got a pair of Continental travel contact tires when I got my 3rd hand
Koga Rohloff fixer upper
1.75 width is the 26", the 700c version is 622-37.

seemed good, got Schwalbes of same width now.
similar in 20" on the bike friday. 406-47..

Thor29

You will also need to run a chain tensioner to use an IGH on an LHT.
Given that, plus the extra weight and other concerns, I would stick with derailleurs. They really aren't that prone to failure and give a wide gear range for the money. Since you are running flat bars, you could go with a full mountain bike drivetrain, no problem.
The cost benefit for a standard drivetrain vs IGH weighs heavily towards a traditional drivetrain.

fietsbob

Dont be tempted by over complicating it.. past 8 speeds if the ratio range is wide
is not improved upon for touring with cramming in #9 and #10 cog,
But consumable spares go way up in price..

MassiveD

+1, and tend to go down in durability. Basic derailleur is a way better system than IGH, for most uses.

mistercharlie

I have a 26-inch LHT with Alfine 11, an Alfine crank and mostly Deore parts elsewhere (v-brakes, front hub). Shifter is Alfine rapid fire, and I have butterfly touring bars. And a Brooks Flyer saddle.

My LBS builds everything on Alex rims unless you ask otherwise, and they hand build the wheels very well (EspaiBici in Barcelona, Spain). I believe the Alfine 11 only comes for 32 spokes, but with 26-inch wheels and no dish, I figure that's fine.

I love the Alfine. You can shift when fully loaded and stopped on a hill. Easy to clean, shifts like butter and completely silent, even when freewheeling. The LBS put a Surly chain tensioner on there instead of the Shimano one, and it looks a lot nicer (and simpler).

Compare this to every derailleur I have used over the last 30ish years. Chains jump off on hills, the rear derailleurs end up bent in the spokes, they gum up in muddy conditions, they're noisy and the chain slaps around. Parts might be easier and cheaper to get, but I'll deal with that when I need to I guess.

Oh, and I have 40mm Marathon Plusses on there.

The bike hasn't seen more than 1,000 or so km, but has taken me on some pretty rough trails as well as paved roads, with no problems at all.

phlatphrog

54cm trucker deluxe with alfine 11 hub, alex rims (wheels built by my local shop), shimano bits.

phlatphrog

Success!

I managed to fly to SF with my bicycle as regular checked luggage, and flew it back. While there I went on a day ride with friends from SF to Sausalito, thru the Marin headlands area to Bonita Cove, back across the golden gate bridge, and back to BART. A good solid ride, for me.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjBNGCFW

After riding quite a bit on this trucker, it feels pretty weird when I get back on my niner EMD.

Chris Pringle

Nice! You seem to be really enjoying that Deluxe Trucker. This is just the beginning of many trips together!