Review: Surly Long Haul Trucker

[canonsue]

Surlypacer,

I have been thinking about using Pauls Thumbies and inline brake levers. Is this something you would recommend? Can you tell us more about why you did this and the advantages?

Thanks,

-Sue

[eofelis]

Surlypacer,

I have been thinking about using Pauls Thumbies and inline brake levers. Is this something you would recommend? Can you tell us more about why you did this and the advantages?

Thanks,

-Sue

I really like the set up I have, even though my bars a bit crowded now. I had downtube shifters, I like the simplicity of them, but I felt unsteady reaching down to shift on a loaded bike. The Pauls thumbies were expensive, $50, but I really wanted to try them.

I'll go take some pictures of my set up:






My bf put them on the bike for me. He had to stagger them on the bars to make them fit the right way for me. The left shifter is moved inboard and angled down to make room for the cable of the right shifter. He cleverly put noodles from V-brakes on the cables to bend them and set the cables where he wanted them.

I really like the inline brake levers too. These are just sale-table Specialized levers. They work the V-brakes well. I have the same exact model levers on my Pacer and they work the road caliper brakes well too. On longs descents where I like to go slow, it's nice to have the 'cross levers. My hands get tired always pulling the aerolevers.

I can have my hands up on the flat part of the bars and brake and shift. Sometimes the loaded bike can get squirrely, especially if it's windy, and it's nice to be able to keep me hands on the bars at all times. I get a bit wobbly on climbs and now I can shift down on climbs with out reaching down and upsetting my balance even more.

I feel that this set up enhances my comfort and safety on the bike.

I saw a set up like mine on a blue LHT someone posted to crazyguyonabike. I don't recall who it was.

[pakinmd]

I have been riding my LHT for about 1 1/2 years now and I really love it. I rarely ride the carbon bike (Trek Pilot 5.2) much anymore. I just built out a Rawland Sogn, to use as a commuter. It has 650 B wheels which seem to be both faster and more able to handle rough stuff than the 26" wheels on my Surly. It's shod with Grand Bois Hetres (650B 42) and I took it on a 34 mile dirt / gravel ride. I still love the Surly, but I love the Sogn even more - a true all-rounder. For pics, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/pakinmd/RawlandSogn# BTW - I got used to bar end shifters, and really like them.

[Cataboo]

I have been riding my LHT for about 1 1/2 years now and I really love it. I rarely ride the carbon bike (Trek Pilot 5.2) much anymore. I just built out a Rawland Sogn, to use as a commuter. It has 650 B wheels which seem to be both faster and more able to handle rough stuff than the 26" wheels on my Surly. It's shod with Grand Bois Hetres (650B 42) and I took it on a 34 mile dirt / gravel ride. I still love the Surly, but I love the Sogn even more - a true all-rounder. For pics, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/pakinmd/RawlandSogn# BTW - I got used to bar end shifters, and really like them.

That looks great... I really like that the xs & s uses a 73 degree seat angle.

[twin]

I am posting the newest version of my LHT and my twins LHT. Someone asked me to post them and its finally done and it took long enough. My LHT has been changed due to a partial shoulder replacement and I have ridden short rides and it is fun. Short because I do not have doctors permission yet. lol