Long Haul Trucker Cassette Question

[Catrin]

Checking the specs of the LHT, I find the following:

Front Derailleur Shimano Tiagra, FD-4403 triple
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, RD-M761 SGS long cage
Cassette Shimano Deore, CS-HG53. 9-speed. 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34t
Crankset Andel, Forged arms, Silver. Aluminum rings, 110mm BCD, 48-36-26t

I understand from Catriona that this is a mountain bike rear cassette. Is this a full mountain bike setup, or something else? I hope my question is clear, this is new enough to me that it is hard to know how to word my question

I live in Indiana. Central Indiana is FLAT with the occasional bump they call a hill. However, there are places I really want to ride in southern Indiana that DO have hills, and of course there is also East Tennessee I already have a bike suited to Central Indiana, Stella is great for flat roads!

I am quite sure that the as-of-yet-unnamed LHT will also get to go on flat roads just for the sheer fun of long rides on a steel steed... so I just want to understand what the stock gearing is so I can make an informed decision on whether to keep the stock components or not.

Surly Pacer, thanks for your kind words (and everyone else). I made a good purchase with Stella, she is a great bike. I want, however, to understand more about what I am buying this time

[eofelis]

I think the LHT set up you described will be just fine for the riding you will be doing. You can always change things out in the future.

Personally, I think the complete LHT is the best deal out there for a complete touring bike. It has the nicest set up. I got my LHT frame before they offered a complete bike, but if I was shopping for a touring bike right now I'd get a complete LHT, no contest.

[Ritamarie]

So, Catrin... I'm wondering why the LHT over the CC?

I had originally called the LBS because I wanted to try the LHT but ended up with a Cross Check. What they told me is that the LHT is ideal for touring especially if you are going to load it down front and back. The CC can do lighter touring and will certainly handle rear panniers (not front panniers), but be more versatile for other things, a better all-rounder. When we tour, we always stay in hotels, so rear panniers are plenty. The CC is certainly a more solid bike than I've toured on before.

I'm sure others can comment on the comparison of the two better than I, but something to consider.

[KnottedYet]

Ritamarie - did you feel a large difference in flavor between the rides of the two bikes? I was all set to go after a LHT, but rode a CC first. I fell so deeply into wild and passionate love with the CC that I never got around to riding an LHT.

I'd love to know more about your experience comparing the two bikes!

(I'm actually afraid to ride an LHT now, because I already have more bikes than I really need and if I fall in love again.... uh oh.)

[Ritamarie]

I fell so deeply into wild and passionate love with the CC that I never got around to riding an LHT.

lol, me too! Never rode the LHT. Only because after telling the LBS what I was looking for they steered me to the CC, and it made sense, so that's what I tried and loved. So I had them put a triple and straight bars on the CC.

[Ritamarie]

I have to say though, there is something positively romantic about the LHT. ;-)

[Catrin]

The geometry of the LHT seems a closer fit than the CC - though that is a good note about the CC being able to do lighter touring.

KnottedYet and Surly Pacer, thanks for your comments on the gearing. The information is very helpful. It is also good to know that it is easy to adjust gears later if I need to do so.

I probably need to test ride BOTH the LHT and CC - I did note that the stem angle on the CC is 85 while my current bike (and the LHT) is 75. What is the impact of that?

[KnottedYet]

That is a lovely range of gears. Good for going up hills with a loaded bike, and good for cruising at a nice pace with an unloaded bike on the flat.

It's easier to change chainrings and cassettes than you might think. I've done it on two of my bikes, it's no big deal and if you can't do the wrenching yourself it's not too expensive, either.

Take the stock (it's a very nice range) and ride it lots. Maybe you'll even ride the drivetrain to bits like Bikerhen did with her Surly LHT. (she did several thousand miles on it before that happened). You'll get a feel for how you like to ride, and maybe you'll want to tweak your gearing a bit a while later. It's simple to do. (cost me about $20 to pop a smaller chainring on my Surly CC, and that includes the cost of the ring)