Wut

Planning to buy a surly LHT frameset and figuring out the components is daunting. This is a build that I want to theoretically travel from state to state one of these days. Problem is I do not think 1000 will cover the build. There are only two things I am certain of purchasing... - Black Surly LHT frameset - Brooks B17 saddle in antique brown. Everything else is up in the air and I want to focus on the cheapest I can go for components that do not sacrifice reliability. Going to need strong racks to pack tents and everything else. I have been watching a lot of touring videos. I am puzzled on what drivetrain to use. I think tiagra will be out of the price range unless I find a used set.

bradtx

Wut, Without some spare parts on hand it's almost impossible to build from scratch for less money than buying a complete bike. Your least expensive route is to find a pre owned touring bike and then modify as desired.

Should you wish to continue with your plan, the low to mid range mountain bike bits are often strong enough for touring duties and purchasing a pre owned mountain bike is an inexpensive way to buy needed parts.

Brad

BigAura

I agree with Brad, building from scratch without a substantial parts-bin is expensive. I did build a LHT Deluxe (the one with S&S connectors) using some parts I had on hand. The beauty is you end up with a custom bike, with downside being cost.

Here's my build:

Frame: Surly Trucker Deluxe, midnight blue, 2011
Size: 54cm, 26" wheels
Fork: Surly uncut steer tube, lugged and brazed
Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp, 1-1/8" threadless, black
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra FD-4403 triple
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX, RD-M581, SGS, long cage
Shifters: Shimano SL-BS64 Bar-end, 8-speed
Crankset: Sugino XD600, 46-36-24t, 170mm arms
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN54, 68x113mm
Seatpost: Kalloy Uno, 27.2, 350mm, black
Seatpost Clamp: Salsa, black
Handlebars: Nitto North Road, CroMoly, 25.4mm clamp, 550mm width, 1.5" cut from each side,
Stem: Kalloy, 100mm, black
Brake Levers: Tektro RL520 Ergo, black
Brakes: Shimano Deore XT, BR-M770, V-brakes
Brake Pads: Kool Stop
Saddle: Brooks B67, honey
Hubs: Shimano XT, HU-M770, 36h, silver
Spokes: DT Swiss, stainless, silver
Rims: 26", Mavic XM719 , 36h, black
Cassette SRAM PG850 8-speed, 11-32t
Chain: SRAM PC-870, 8-speed
Cables: Jagwire
Cable Separators: Easy-Split In-Line
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Extreme, 26x2.0
Fenders: SKS, P65mm, Chromoplastic, black

clasher

I'd set the bike up with modern deore LX hubs and derailleurs and use 8 speed cassette, chain, shifters since they are cheaper. You can get 8 speed downtube shifters on ebay for 40$ new. If you want integrated shifter, the high end Shimano ST-R500 might work for your budget but you would have to use cantilever brakes. Some of the alivio cranks are fine for touring and you can save money on the crank and spend it on a better quality bottom bracket for reliability. I would use sun cr-18 rims, they are solid and have been around for years for a reason. I used axiom aluminum racks on tour and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. A generic cartridge headset is fine if installed and set up properly, and so are generic handlebars and basic tektro brakes/levers, a generic seatpost. I would look for a wheelset with plain deore hubs instead of the LX if the budget gets tight, building wheels is usually more expensive... just get any wheelset checked over before you go. All the small parts get pricey too, bar tape, housing, stainless cables, etc. etc.

I think even with careful penny pinching I'd be hard-pressed to do a whole build for under a grand even if I counted my own labour as free (which I never do). Do you have panniers already? They get expensive too...

fietsbob

The index shifting matter ? if not mix and match .'whatever'

Dual drive rear hub puts the triple crank in the hub .. 8 speed cassette, 34t low
you can downshift an IGH instantly with just a moments power hesitation ..
then a single chainring , (+ guard & keeper) will be fine..

Surly Stainless steel single speed chainrings.. no triple crank or FD needed..


Tubus Racks..