Surly gearing question

[Catrin]

I am currently looking at two bikes - the Surly LHT and the Cross Check. Part of the reason for getting a second bike is to be able to go places my Trek can't (including mountain roads/bike trails) - and of course to gain the smoothness of steel :)

It looks to me like the standard gearing of the CC is very similar to my Trek, but what do I know? Here are some numbers for comparison:

My Treks rear cassette = SRAM PG950 11-26, 9 speed

Cross Check rear cassette = Shimano Tiagra, #HG-53 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t

Just to compare:

Long Haul Trucker rear cassette = Shimano Deore, CS-HG53. 9-speed. 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34t

I know things can be changed/upgraded, just trying to make sure I understand the rear cassette gearing for both of my choices. The LHT is still in front running :D

The CC does have it's attraction as well, though it doesn't seem to be quite as close a fit as the LHT.

[KnottedYet]

The gearing depends a great deal on what's up front.

My only real issue with the CC is the gearing: there are a gazillion hills along my 42 mile (round trip, but doesn't it sound impressive that way?) commute. I have hills along the routes to all my favorite grocery stores.

The gearing the CC came with was not low enough for me and the way I use the bike, so I added a 3rd front ring.

The LHT already has that 3rd front ring, and already has a juicy low gear cassette.

If you are planning to do mountain roads with full loads, you'll probably rather have the LHT gearing, or modify the CC gearing to get the lower gears.

(also, the 42cm LHT has the 26 inch wheels, which can be nice for smaller sized bikes to avoid toe overlap.)

Check out Sheldon Brown's site (RIP). He's got lots of good info, and it is all explained well: www.sheldonbrown.com

[Blueberry]

I have a standard road triple on the front of my cross check, and an 11-34 on the rear. Yep - I like my low gears!

[withm]

Having ridden most of the Shimano groupos over the years, I'd suggest you'd might be happier with a better groupset - say 105 or better - on any bike you purchase. My experience has been that the Deore and Tiagra components just don't shift very smoothly, nor do they hold their adjustments for any length of time. On the other hand, if you like to play with your bike and tweak the adjustments and settings all the time, you will have your work cut out for you.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the tips - they are helpful and I will remember to head back to Sheldon Browns site when I get home tonight.

The Cross Check comes with a 2x9 and of course the LHT already has that third ring - same as my Trek.

My Trek shifts pretty roughly - right now Stella is at the LBS getting her free new-bike tune up. I am hoping that takes care of things - the wrench wasn't surprised and thought this would take care of things.

The price of the two Surly bikes are low enough that perhaps I can afford to upgrade to 105, but will research that. I was very taken at how smoothly the Salsa Fargo shifted and it would be nice to have that in my Surly.

[OakLeaf]

If you're thinking of making major changes to a complete bike, like double to triple or a different groupset, you'd probably save money by buying a frame and having the LBS build it for you. Plus, that way you could get exactly what you wanted. (Well, not the Fargo... :()

[Catrin]

If you're thinking of making major changes to a complete bike, like double to triple or a different groupset, you'd probably save money by buying a frame and having the LBS build it for you. Plus, that way you could get exactly what you wanted. (Well, not the Fargo... :()

Point noted :) I suspect that I wouldn't change the LHT if I go with that one, it would be the Cross Check that would need upgrading. The stock rear cassette with that bike wouldn't give me what I need and it would need an additional ring... As I said, the LHT is still the front runner...

[KnottedYet]

Having ridden most of the Shimano groupos over the years, I'd suggest you'd might be happier with a better groupset - say 105 or better - on any bike you purchase. My experience has been that the Deore and Tiagra components just don't shift very smoothly, nor do they hold their adjustments for any length of time. On the other hand, if you like to play with your bike and tweak the adjustments and settings all the time, you will have your work cut out for you.

I haven't had any problems with my Shimano on my Cross Check in the last 3 years, but I think the bar end shifters on the Surlies make a huge difference for the finicky part. Loooooove shifting with friction. Yeah, baby!

I do remember the Tiagra on my Trek 470 being a bit of a problem, but it was the brifters that were the issue for me then.

(and I've mixed Campy and Shimano on my CC - needed a longer front cage when I added the 3rd ring - which the bar ends handled no problem)