Question about proper, uh, procedure....

K, I went and test rode a surly cross check at the LBS. LOVED it but had a toe overlap issue. They said that the Long Haul Trucker would probly suit me better since the smaller sized come w/ the 26" wheels and have the longer wheelbase. Plus I need to be able to have a wider tire for riding on dirt and gravel roads and the LHT can do that, too. Soo, they had an LHT there but it wasn't built. The guy at the shop said he would have the LHT put together on Sunday and I could go try it. Well, I am fairly certain it will work for me but of course I can only be completely sure when I actually ride it.

I also know that I want to add on some accessories and switch out a few of the stock components w/ other stuff. Firstly, I will want racks and fenders for sure. Also, I want to go w/ a fairly wide tire. I will need additional brake levers for the top part of the bar (do they call these "interruptor" levers? I dont know - my 80's schwinn had them....) And finally, a Brooks saddle.

So, I guess my question is: If I already know I will want this stuff if I get it at all, should I tell him BEFORE he puts it all together - so he doesn't have to go back and take it apart again. Or should I go try it and then tell him what I want to switch out?
I don't want to waste the guy's time either way. What would you gals do ?

Try before you buy. The LHT has a longer wheelbase and may handle differently than the CrossCheck. So, ride it first to ensure it's your size and that you like the ride. [BTW: Toe overlap as a problem is way overrated.]

Most of the changes you want sound pretty minor. I might ask about tires beforehand so you can ride it with tires like what you plan to use. Swapping out the saddle shouldn't be a big deal at all, and they should give you some sort of credit towards the purchase of the Brooks.

The extra brake levers might be a bit of a pain, as I don't know whether the wires need to go under the bar wrap or how they connect in with the main brake levers. It can't hurt to tell him in advance about stuff you're pretty certain you want.

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Originally Posted by Laru

K, I went and test rode a surly cross check at the LBS. LOVED it but had a toe overlap issue. They said that the Long Haul Trucker would probly suit me better since the smaller sized come w/ the 26" wheels and have the longer wheelbase. Plus I need to be able to have a wider tire for riding on dirt and gravel roads. Soo, they had an LHT there but it wasn't built. The guy at the shop said he would have an LHT put together on Sunday and I could go try it. Well, I am fairly certain it will work for me but of course I can only be completely sure when I actually ride it.

I also know that I want to add on some accessories and switch out a few of the stock components w/ other stuff. Firstly, I will want racks and fenders for sure. Also, I want to go w/ a fairly wide tire. I will need additional brake levers for the top part of the bar (do they call these "interruptor" levers? I dont know - my 80's schwinn had them....) And finally, a Brooks saddle.

So, I guess my question is: If I already know I will want this stuff if I get it at all, should I tell him BEFORE he puts it all together - so he doesn't have to go back and take it apart again. Or should I go try it and then tell him what I want to switch out?
I don't want to waste the guy's time either way. What would you gals do ?

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I just purchased a Surly Cross Check and while I have toe overlap, the bike feels so good and does everything I want. Toe overlap is not a big deal to me, but the 26" wheels on the Trucker were. I have two sets of wheels, one with 25mm tires and a touring set with big honkin' 38mm tires. Even with the 38mm tires there is room for fenders. Don't worry about wasting his time. You are going to drop some bucks, and that's what he does. Make sure it's what YOU want and if you love it, then he shouldn't mind making it have all that you want on it.

I have toe overlap on my current bike and it bugs me. I swore that I would avoid it when I get my next bike.
What don't you like about 26" wheels?

Do you think these are changes I can expect him to do on the day I test ride? or is it likely to be a come back to pick it up kinda thing?

Nothing wrong with smaller wheels.

Toe overlap is an issue those of use who are height-challenged just have to deal with. I personally would much rather have a bit of toe overlap than have to resort to using two different wheelsizes with a front one that's a hard-to-find size ala some Terrys. But 26" wheels are common in the US and you should have no trouble finding tubes and tires at your LBS.

Compared to the CrossCheck, the LHT is going to have a 1. longer wheelbase; 2. slacker head tube angle. So, it's probably going to feel a bit more sluggish than the CrossCheck; or, the CrossCheck is going to feel a bit more snappy than the LHT.

Neither ride is necessarily better than the other; it just depends on what you like.

As far as taking up the guy's time--don't worry about it. The shop will want to take the time to ensure you're a happy customer, and getting everything just right on your bike will take a bit of time.

Just so you know, I have a 50cm LHT with 26" wheels and still have a bit of toe overlap. The overlap is more pronounced after I added fenders. Its not a lot and I've learned to adjust. My LHT is such a great ride, I'll deal with a little overlap.

I love the 26" wheels. The LHT can take the wider width tires so I switch them out with my MTB wheels when I want a more aggressive tread. I mounted my studded tires to the MTB rims over winter. I could switch wheels out as needed. It works great! For the summer I have one set with slick tires, the other with nobbies. I'm just a quick wheel change away from any type of riding with either bike. :D bikerHen

Just let him know what you are thinking before he puts it together and let him decide (just so you are clear you aren't buying unless satisfied w test ride). I think the major issue will be the brake levers, so if he knows ahead of time perhaps you could test ride it with unwrapped bars to make it easier for him to add them later.

TCO is a very personal thing. I personally don't like it (and I do ride a terry and its not hard to get 24" tires but yes, fewer distributers carry them than 700c or 26"), but some others don't seem to care. Only you can decide. It also depends on how you will ride. For racing where you turn with your body at high speed it matters less than on a bike that u ride everyday for commuting or touring, where turning at slow speeds is more common.

Triskeliongirl, that makes sense - I guess toe overlap bothers me so much because I usually do the commuting type riding as you describe. I always seem to be nudging my toe a little.

Anyway, I have learned to live with it on my current bike and if there's just no way around it then I suppose I can get over it.... It would just be nice if I could avoid it altogether.

Thanks for everyone's responses!