Review: Surly Long Haul Trucker

[Beane]

My husband was recently looking for a 'cross bike and considered the surly cross check, but in the end he decided to go with a used gunnar. The main reason is that the surlys are made from straight gauge chinese steel instead of reynolds 853 or true temper ox platinum. Another very competitively priced option is the Soma doublecross, which is made from Tange prestige tubing. The main issue with straight gauge compared to butted is that it is not as strong or light. Just something to think about.

[Blueberry]

Beane-

You're absolutely right, and we've been looking for a "better" frame than my Cross Check for my DH. However, I've seen some scary pictures of failed welds on SOMA's in my research (head tube sheared off), and apparently they don't really honor their warranty. One of our shop guys got one, though, and it's a pretty bike! The Gunnars have about a 20-25 pound weight limit on what the bike can carry, so you can't tour with it (or get groceries, really). SOMA is close to the same price as Surly, Gunnar is about 2x as I recall.

We're still looking

CA

[Beane]

You're right, the gunnars do have a weight limit in terms of what they will warranty. I suppose if you are carrying tons of cargo weight you don't mind a few extra pounds of frame weight...

[Blueberry]

The difference is about .8 pounds on the frame. Not sure about the fork.

Anybody know of a frameset built of the higher quality steel alloys that doesn't have a reputation for failure (SOMA) and doesn't have a low weight limit (Gunnar)? Preferably within a budget

CA

[Beane]

not really an answer, but some AMAZING photos (and crazy people!)

http://www.fullyloadedtouring.com/

[ms pepperpot]

Just thought I'd add I'm getting an LHT - 42 in green. I should be getting it in about 3 weeks. I'm so excited.

[PscyclePath]

Surly... it's not just a brand of bikes ;-)

I converted to a Cross-Check back the first of August, and if there's a bike that does everything, the C-C is it...