Surly

I just had an interesting conversation with Surly. I just had, I thought, a simple question for them - an idea what the 46cm Long Haul Trucker Complete build weighs. Seemed an easy question to me, and I was surprised when the woman I was talking with laughed when I asked :)

First she said that she wasn't surprised that I couldn't find the information, because Surly does make certain information hard to find. She wasn't able to answer my question, but did tell me the frame and fork weigh 3,320 grams. Not pounds, not even ounces, but grams (frame = 2,300 and fork = 1,020) I do realize that grams are considered a more precise measurement, but I wasn't expecting it :)

She did confirm that it may well weigh less than my Trek 7.6, or the same, but not more. I guess that when I think of steel, I am thinking of an old heavy bike I saw years ago - steel frames have changed greatly since then!

17 days and counting before I can order my beautiful blue Long Haul Trucker :D

Most bike manufacturers make weight hard to find.

I can say that my 43 cm surly pacer probably weighs about 25 lbs. I didn't go particularly light with the build, and it's got a rack on it, etc. My road bikes weigh about 16-18 lbs and my mountain bike's about 22 lbs.

So it is the heaviest of my bikes.

Most manufacturers don't disclose weight anymore. On average, steel bikes without racks are around 22-ish lbs. depending on frame size. My Jamis Aurora is lighter than my 520 (but the Aurora doesn't have a rack, it will eventually I'm sure - both have fenders. I use my bikes for leisure and utility.) A mountain bike is often heavier 25 lbs or more to start with on average add a rack and all that jazz and you may top 30lbs or more. Carbon bikes are light as beejeezus (yes that is the scientific classification) and often weigh less than 15 lbs. all tricked out. They are for racing though and not hauling.

The LHT frame weight is right there on the Surly website, which is where I got it from when I posted it earlier: 5.15 pounds. That's for the 58cm. The 46cm will be even lighter. (smaller frame = less steel)

Like I said, it's the stuff you put on the frame that really influences the weight. Short of picking up a 46cm LHT at the shop and weighing it (call someone like Free Range Cycles and ask them to do that) it would be difficult to get a weight. It will vary with size and what is put on it. Wider bars = higher weight. Juicier tires = higher weight. Change brand of parts one year to the next, and the weight changes again.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

The LHT frame weight is right there on the Surly website, which is where I got it from when I posted it earlier: 5 1/2 pounds.

Like I said, it's the stuff you put on the frame that really influences the weight. Short of picking up a 46cm LHT at the shop and weighing it (call someone like Free Range Cycles and ask them to do that) it would be difficult to get a weight. It will vary with size and what is put on it. Wider bars = higher weight. Juicier tires = higher weight. Change brand of parts one year to the next, and the weight changes again.

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That makes perfect sense. I was trying to estimate from the parts but don't know enough about all of the parts to do that :) I will call Free Range and ask - it is just out of curiousity.

I recently bought a 52 cm stock LHT. It weighed 26 pounds w/out rack and fenders.

It's probably going to vary alot depending of what steel they use. I have a Bianchi Imola and she's light, not as light as my carbon bike but I love riding the Bianchi. Steel bikes are so 'snappy' feeling to me.

Caitrin: All in all - exact weight isn't going to matter much. Again, my steel bikes vary but both are lighter than the aluminum 7.2 fx I used to own awhile back.

Winding Road: Whoo-hoo! I agree. I lurvve steel. :)

Thanks to everyone for their comments on this - guess that I am focusing overly much on numbers :D

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

It's probably going to vary alot depending of what steel they use.

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...and depending on what parts you use for the build.
For example I own a 9 years old steel Bianchi (the Eros, so not the lightest steel Bianchi on the catalog). I stripped down that frame and rebuilt with all lightweight components as soon as it got home from the shop. The weight out of the shop was like 23-24 lbs, and is down to 17.5 or so with my configuration - which is lighter than many aluminum bikes out of the shop. Actually, it is lighter than some lower-end carbon bikes right out of the shop as well.
The frame is only part of the weight - the components contribute way more to the final numbers. If you want to build a lightweight bike, find lightweight group and wheels. Replace alloy/steel components with carbon and titanium - and that will lower your final weight drastically.
Good luck :)

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

...and depending on what parts you use for the build.
For example I own a 9 years old steel Bianchi (the Eros, so not the lightest steel Bianchi on the catalog). I stripped down that frame and rebuilt with all lightweight components as soon as it got home from the shop. The weight out of the shop was like 23-24 lbs, and is down to 17.5 or so with my configuration - which is lighter than many aluminum bikes out of the shop. Actually, it is lighter than some lower-end carbon bikes right out of the shop as well.
The frame is only part of the weight - the components contribute way more to the final numbers. If you want to build a lightweight bike, find lightweight group and wheels. Replace alloy/steel components with carbon and titanium - and that will lower your final weight drastically.
Good luck :)

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Thanks TxDoc - this is so interesting to me and it is good to learn about how everything works together. I am looking forward very much to my LHT - 2 weeks and counting :)

I just replaced my faithful old Cross-Check with a Long Haul Trucker... After we got it built up, I as wondering about the weight, and Sam the LBS owner laughed with me and said, "You know, we just don't weigh too many Surlys."

That got the curiousity fired up, so we headed for the far back corner where the scales are. My answer, (56 cm 2010 Trucker (Blue Velvet paint, 700C wheels, with front & rear racks, DHS fenders, bottle cages and pedals) 33 pounds, 12 ounces.

Tom

Yikes.

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Originally Posted by PscyclePath

I just replaced my faithful old Cross-Check with a Long Haul Trucker... After we got it built up, I as wondering about the weight, and Sam the LBS owner laughed with me and said, "You know, we just don't weigh too many Surlys."

That got the curiousity fired up, so we headed for the far back corner where the scales are. My answer, (56 cm 2010 Trucker (Blue Velvet paint, 700C wheels, with front & rear racks, DHS fenders, bottle cages and pedals) 33 pounds, 12 ounces.

Tom

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OH MY! Hoping the 46cm frame along with the 26 inch wheels and current lack of racks will drop a good amount of weight from that :o. I don't care though, if I can't get it on my bike rack than my personal trainer is going to get a request for higher weights in our sessions :p

56cm LHT:33lbs. 12 oz - Eeep. That is heavy duty. Hmm. I'm 5'3'' so I don't think I want to lug 33 lbs-ish. up the stairs to work. I've thought about an LHT (as a winter bike). My 520is probably 5-7 lbs lighter than that (with racks and fenders). Much lighter than my riding partners 16'' (she's short too) mountain bike.

****25lbs. on a scale****48cm 520 (with racks/fenders/2bottlecages)
(scales vary on accuracy so this could be slightly off)

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

56cm LHT:33lbs. 12 oz - Eeep. That is heavy duty. Hmm. I'm 5'3'' so I don't think I want to lug 33 lbs-ish. up the stairs to work. I've thought about an LHT (as a winter bike). My 520is probably 5-7 lbs lighter than that (with racks and fenders). Much lighter than my riding partners 16'' (she's short too) mountain bike.

****25lbs. on a scale****48cm 520 (with racks/fenders/2bottlecages)
(scales vary on accuracy so this could be slightly off)

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Over the past month I've spoken with several bike stores from which I learned the 46cm LHT should be about the same weight as my Trek 7.6. FX :) Of course, I am sure they were referring to the complete build without fenders/racks/etc.

I weighed my 42cm LHT last year. 30lbs. It has full XT drive train and at the time it had super heavy duty Sun Rhinolite 36h rims on XT hubs with 1.75 ContiTT2000 tires. I have a Delta Sherpa rack on the back and a Blackburn lowrider rack on the front.

I recently changed the wheels and tires out. Now it's Bontrager Mustang 32h rims on XT hubs with Schwalbe Marathon 1.5 tires. It might weigh a pound or two less now.

When I load it for a tour I have 6lbs each for front panniers (tent body -REI Taj 3- and ground cloth in one pannier, tent fly in other). Rear panniers ~12lbs each but it varies along the trip. So the whole rig can come in ~70lbs. I weigh 110.

She ain't light and fast, but I've come off of big mountain passes in heavy thunderstorms and she tracks like she's on rails.

In contrast, my Specialized Ruby carbon wonderbike weighs 17lbs.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

...17 days and counting before I can order my beautiful blue Long Haul Trucker :D

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Hi all,

New here. :)

What a coincidence! I ordered a blue velvet 46 from our LBS on Saturday. I'm so excited. I only saw the blue on the Surly Web site. Have you seen it in person? I didn't want another black bike. The LBS didn't have one to try, so they measured me, took the dimensions of my Ruby, and ordered a 46. I'm under no obligation to take it if it's not a good fit. Fingers crossed... I'm a long-legged, short waisted 5'41/2". Hope it fits.

Have you ordered your bike yet?

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Originally Posted by t.ruf

Hi all,

New here. :)

What a coincidence! I ordered a blue velvet 46 from our LBS on Saturday. I'm so excited. I only saw the blue on the Surly Web site. Have you seen it in person? I didn't want another black bike. The LBS didn't have one to try, so they measured me, took the dimensions of my Ruby, and ordered a 46. I'm under no obligation to take it if it's not a good fit. Fingers crossed... I'm a long-legged, short waisted 5'41/2". Hope it fits.

Have you ordered your bike yet?

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I saw mine in person today and bring it home tomorrow! It is a beautiful blue, and it looks even better than it does in the picture. I love the size, it is compact, and quite enticing. I won't be putting racks or fenders on it for a time, not until I am comfy with it (I am a new rider), but it isn't a light weight! It also is not that heavy, I picked it up today and it felt like it weighed just a smidgen more than my Trek 7.6 FX. I can't wait to get it out there and see what it really feels like :D

I tested an 09 spec 42cm LHT in December. Complete bike was 11.8 kg = 26lb. Heavy.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I saw mine in person today and bring it home tomorrow! It is a beautiful blue, and it looks even better than it does in the picture. I love the size, it is compact, and quite enticing...I can't wait to get it out there and see what it really feels like :D

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So exciting! Hope you'll be posting some pictures soon. Enjoy your first ride.

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Originally Posted by t.ruf

So exciting! Hope you'll be posting some pictures soon. Enjoy your first ride.

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I did, see them here http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...738#post500738

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? :D Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? :D Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

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Oooooh, "Bad Weather Bike" I LIKE it :) My issues with the bars/shifters aside I do love this bike - The 46cm frame is cool too - though it is interesting how everyone who has seen it so far always comments on how small it is - I suppose that it is :p

Maybe the S.O. will accept that you have to have a back-up bike? Are you going for the blue or the black?

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Oooooh, "Bad Weather Bike" I LIKE it :) My issues with the bars/shifters aside I do love this bike - The 46cm frame is cool too - though it is interesting how everyone who has seen it so far always comments on how small it is - I suppose that it is :p

Maybe the S.O. will accept that you have to have a back-up bike? Are you going for the blue or the black?

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Yeah. People always comment on how small my bikes are anyways. *chuckle*
I'm 5'3'' so I get that a lot.

I went for the blue. I couldn't get over how nice your bike looked. Black is always a color for bikes, but blue doesn't come around in a shade I like very often. Fenders will be mounted first and I have a beat up rack that was on one of my old bikes until I can get a quality one. The bars/shifters are already good for me. I like bar ends. I like utility bikes. I didn't want to give in to it, but I did. :D

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

Yeah. People always comment on how small my bikes are anyways. *chuckle*
I'm 5'3'' so I get that a lot.

I went for the blue. I couldn't get over how nice your bike looked. Black is always a color for bikes, but blue doesn't come around in a shade I like very often. Fenders will be mounted first and I have a beat up rack that was on one of my old bikes until I can get a quality one. The bars/shifters are already good for me. I like bar ends. I like utility bikes. I didn't want to give in to it, but I did. :D

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It is interesting that, to my eye at least, my Trek 7.6 looks MUCH bigger than Sully does - until I park them next to each other :p it is just the geometry that makes the Trek look larger.

I WAS getting racks and fenders this week, until I decide to convert it to riser bars and trigger shifters... the racks will have to wait a bit... I am glad you like bar ends - and they probably would have been fine if I had a few years experience, but I don't want to wait that long to ride my lovely steel steed!

I have learned that Surly seems to have a problem with sending the wrong size brake levers with the smallest sizes, might want to give your LBS the heads up. I will also have 48cm Salsa Poco bars for sale in a couple of weeks in case you don't want the 50cm that comes with it .... Just saying :rolleyes:

I'm getting a fitting tomorrow for something "Surly" but will pay for the build with the components I want. In a perfect world, with the right stuff and a ton of $$, how light would you guys guess you could build up a cross check?

I went stock components as Surly offers pretty good stuff stock. I will have to get a new saddle (I'm sure) and a few other finicky tweaks but other than that I think I'll be pretty happy. :) Surly fever is apparently catching. I still recommend the 520. I'm never getting rid of that bike. It is mine forever. Loves. If I love my Surly half-as-much it will be with me for a loooong time.

I have no idea on the Cross-Check frame weight. It's steel so it'll never be as light as carbon obviously. But I would imagine, if your budget is limitless - you're golden.

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Originally Posted by Chicken Little

I'm getting a fitting tomorrow for something "Surly" but will pay for the build with the components I want. In a perfect world, with the right stuff and a ton of $$, how light would you guys guess you could build up a cross check?

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With a carbon fork - I think probably 21-22 lbs. The frame is heavy, but not *that* heavy. It's only a pound or so heavier than the really light stuff. Of course, you'd be dropping serious coin on the fork and components.

"If you wanna go faster, be lighter." :D Unless, your using the Cross-Check to race, I wouldn't worry about how light it can get. Just put on components you trust or love. It's always about the love, never not about the love. :)

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? :D Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

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Do you have it yet? I am looking forward to hear what you think of your lovely new steed. The conversion is complete for mine - and while I haven't been able to take it out for a REAL ride yet (hopefully later today) I can already tell that the fit issues are much, much, much better. They better be considering what the conversion cost...

New pics on this thread http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...932#post512932

It should arrive this week. *squeeee* I am beyond excited. I'll keep you posted. At first they thought they weren't going to get it. I was nervous. I guess Surly is having trouble meeting demand. *meep*

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

It should arrive this week. *squeeee* I am beyond excited. I'll keep you posted. At first they thought they weren't going to get it. I was nervous. I guess Surly is having trouble meeting demand. *meep*

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Now that MY LHT fits me I can see why they are having problems meeting the demand - it is a fantastic bike! My Trek pales in comparison...but it isn't fair to compare the two bikes as they are so different.

Looking forward to hearing about your new bike :D

Update: I went to the bike shop and picked up my Surly 46cm. It was lovely. Except for one thing, the drive train chattered excessively and made a grinding noise during coasting. I took it back to the shop. Defective Free Hub is the diagnosis. I will hopefully get it back on Monday. When I do I'll try and snap some pics. Has rack, bottle cages, and ill fitting but functional fenders. The stock saddle is a vadge-bruiser, I will replace it shortly. (I can't find any good fenders for Surly's 26'' wheels. Alot of people say there are, but when I read the reviews for them it's a disappointment) Point being, me and my Surly (as of yet un-named I need to ride him more than once) hit a slight snag - but will be on the right track shortly. :)

Footnote: I've owned a Jamis, Surly, and a couple Treks. So far the Trek 520 has been the most maintenance/problem free.

Did you get the proper short-reach brake levers? They sent the wrong levers with mine - and apparently it is a common mistake Surly makes when shipping the smaller frames.

I need to get fenders and a rack for my boy as well - please post your final choice for the fenders. I am going to discuss this with my LBS, and need to find a decent rack that won't weigh 3 lbs but be strong enough for what I would realistically carry. I have a very stripped down budget for such things right now...

I think the brake levers are fine. I've only ridden it a long distance once. As far as the rack goes, I had a used Blackburn TR-1 rack that I had on another bike. Works fine. I've hauled lots of stuff on it in the past. Works like a champ. Cheap too. Eventually I'll upgrade, but for now I'm satisfied. Saddle is the first thing to be upgraded. I'm going to be riding this in all sorts of weather. So, I don't think I should get another Brooks. I don't know really. All this can wait. I just hope she's fixed up quick. I can't wait to ride er' some more. :)