OdieInAz

I bought my Surly LHT hoping to get the comfort I longed for, and with the intention of an all purpose bike. The comfort never came and I sold my Phantom CXX, that I bought off of Bikes Direct, to help raise the funds for the LHT, and I gotta tell you, I miss my CX bike alot. I found I like pulling a trailer as opposed to loading a rig down. I also miss the performance oriented aspect of my late CX bike that the LHT does not have. I miss standing on the pedals and mashing up hills on fun rides. Who was I kidding? I thought the LHT was going to be it. I'm not mellow enough for it. And I can't find that comfort that everyone raves about on the LHT. Like the top tube is short, forcing me to be more upright than I'm confortable with.
My CX bike was the perfect touring bike and I failed to realize this! My CX bike gave the roadies, with their carbon fiber bikes, a run for their money, when I was on weekend fitness rides. Now I get passed with little effort. I knew the LHT was going to be a pig but I don't think I was ready to settle down as much as the LHT demands of me. An expensive lesson to say the least.

Tandem Tom

I guess you did not know that the LHT is first and foremost a "touring"bike. It is not designed for speed. I really enjoy riding mine and am fortunate to have a Serotta road bike that I ride for club rides.
Over time I am collecting a few nice older bikes.

BigAura

Yep--> Long Haul TRUCKer

OdieInAz

I was aware. I just thought that I was ready to mellow out. It's a great bike. And I was wanting to use it for all purposes like grocery getting, touring, daily rides, etc. Most folks have commented on the versitility of the machine. This, in my opinion, is very wrong. At least for me. And I was oblivious how much I loved performance as well and touring. And I'm a one bike kind of guy. Always have been. I never owned a dedicated touring bike until the LHT. If it felt okay unloaded I'd be okay with it. But unless it has a load it feels hindering. This is where I discovered pulling a trailer was more my thing.

LeeG

LHT has a short top tube?


oh well yr not old enough to be mellow

OdieInAz

I said it felt like it did. I can't figure out where the crowded feeling is coming from. I've tried different stems, and put seat posts that give me more aft. It just won't dial in. I've been on the trainer at my LBS and they can't figure it out. I guess I'm a freak show.

cyclist2000

I thought that LHT's had a good resale value, sell it and get new CX. All is not lost.

OdieInAz

I plan on it my friend. I put a lot of effort and hopes into this rig. Just sucks it didn't work out for me. I admitted defeat today on a 30 miler.

hueyhoolihan

too bad, it happens.

IME, comfort has pretty much to do with things that touch me, like handbars/grips, saddles, and shoes/pedals, and the shock absorbing effect of tires and their PSI, not frames. hang the right, saddle, pedals and handlebars at the right distances from one another and the comfort will be there for me. you might try experimenting a bit if you heart is still in it.

of course weight is weight is weight...

BigAura

What you say is correct but the frame counts too. The LHT frame is inherently sluggish versus a more lively feeling sport frame. I love the smooth cruising of my loaded LHT but rarely use it except for touring. Swapping out components to make it lighter and faster would help but it's never going to feel very snappy.

Doug64

"Unrealistic expectations are premeditated disappointments."
2014 My Brother-in-Law.

OdieInAz

There is always one wit. It never fails. Trolls lurking from under their bridges to borrow clever phrases from persons more original than they are.

Bezalel

Unfortunately loaded tourers don't handle as well without a load making them less than ideal as an only bike. I suspect that is the reason why the Trek 520 geometry went through a number of changes over the years.

OdieInAz

I think I will just put some fatty tires on her and use her as intended. Fat bottom girls make the world go 'round...or something to that effect. I have a week tour coming up and I need to test her rightfully. I will shop for a vintage steel road bike for my aggresions. I do love the LHT overall. I was fighting her nature and she is the victor. In yielding I am sure to find happiness.

indyfabz

After that comment, I don't feel the least bit sorry for you. And, BTW, Doug64 is as far from a troll as one can get.

indyfabz

Weren't you just saying something about borrowing clever phrases from people who are more original?

OdieInAz

One good jab deserves another. Good thing you are so valiant. Very noble aren't you?

OdieInAz

Ah yes. There is always one stepping up for the honor of another. Such a sweet gesture. My quote did not intend harm. And I'm so pained that you don't feel sorry for me. That hurts. Oh wait, that was just gas. It too will pass with this boring assault.

antokelly

when i first bought the thorn sherpa i could not believe the weight of the frame especally the front fork, when i built it up my first ride was oh so disappointing .heavy sluggish felt like i was trying to push a small motorbike .but hang on i was coming from riding light road bikes for most of my life,so i had to put my little brain into a different gear, once i figured out how to ride slow smell the roses i started to really enjoy my new touring bike as a matter of fact it changed my hole outlook on cycling. these days i enjoy it more than ever .
so enjoy your new touring bike forget about flying up hill's on the road instead smell the roses and enjoy every pedal stroke.

Null66

I'm still stuck on the "too short a top tube".
I find mine long for the size, as others have reported.


But then, my DT is loaded with just my fat ass on it.
But then I don't think the bike is slow, well because I know I am slow..

Jamesw2

Dear Frustrated

Thank you for the review of the LHT. It is sounds like exactly what i need to ride a tour with!

OdieInAz

If you were to pay close attention I said it feels like the top tube is short. Not that it is short. I've pointed this out once. I know that the top tube is not short. Again, I said it felt like it was short.

OdieInAz

Thank you for your input. The whole 'Touring' part included in the the bike's description must have escaped me. Your education in this matter is well received. You must be light years ahead of your peers in the realm of intelligence.

valygrl

I think you've identified the problem here, you're starting out with a parameter that will prevent you from being happy.

No one bike can do everything. get a real race bike (not vintage steel, something recent and light, carbon or alumium) for your fast unloaded weekend rides and keep the LHT for loaded touring (or don't, if it doesn't fit you).

Your CX bike was probably closest to a do-everything-sort-of-ok compromise bike, the LHT is definitely purpose built for load hauling, and a race bike would be best for faster fun road riding without carrying stuff. Why have one bike that is bad at everything when you can have two that are good at what they are made for?

LuckySailor

or 3, or 4.........