Surly Love

[Catrin]

Now I'm really confused. I thought you were getting the LHT? That comes in a dark cream or a blue frame. http://surlybikes.com/frames/long_haul_trucker_frame/

Not olive nor brown.

The Cross Check comes in brown, and yeah that's not my favorite color. http://surlybikes.com/frames/cross_check_frame/ Though I've seen a few brown CC in town, and they look fine.

Which bike are you having built?

The complete, standard Surly LHT package comes in either blue or a tan (looks brownish to me). Just to order a frame for building up, however, my is is currently only available in an olive green or the same tan/cream you mentioned. That may change by March 18 when I place my order.

I was surprised about the olive as well, and I like the color - it is a very earthy dark green that looks great. I might like that better than the blue for this particular bike. Time will tell what is available in my size when we place the order.

I've attached an image of the "olivine" LHT frame - I can't seem to post an actual image properly.

I followed your link, and the LHT tan is better than the CC brown

[bikerHen]

Here are a couple of ideas for you, when you're ready to start pimping out your ride.

Instead of a kickstand, these are great. I have one and just love it. You definitely need the heavy duty one for touring. http://www.click-stand.com

My sister got a Truckaccino Surly last year. She put a pair of these fenders on it. They look GREAT! http://www.woodysfenders.com/store/
bikerHen

[Catrin]

Thanks for the links - the fenders look great! Once my budget recovers from this purchase, and a new personal training package in April, and needed new cycling clothing...it will be time to spruce up the new bike

I have my quote for the new build! It is a little more expensive than I had originally planned - but with handmade wheels, thorn resistant tires, upgraded crank/derailleurs/other stuff I think that it is worth it. So it turned out to be $500 extra before labor and taxes - I think the added value will be worth it. I DO have someone checking out the quote for me who knows a lot more about bike components than I do - I know just enough to be dangerous

Thanks for the advice on kickstands and so-forth - that is very good food for thought. KnottedYet, I will follow your advice and hold off on making any decisions about kickstands until I've learned how to handle the bike, including loading it without it. The Surly site got my attention as well, I don't want to risk damaging my lovely steel frame...

[moderncyclista]

I use a rear mount kick stand on my "all steel" Trek 520. Works well under heavy grociery loads, wb coffee schleping, & general hauling. Also, Surly says if you modify their products they don't guarantee them in the PDF instructions of the LHT - but I didn't see mention of kickstands. We had the kickstand convo on here a little while ago. Where's that thread? *searches flinging papers above head*

I've been eyeballing the LHT (for quite awhile) and while I like green (esp. this year's Pacer color) the complete LHT blue is quite striking. Dark brown accents would look rather dapper on that bike. Hmmmm....

Also, carbon bars on a touring bike? Seems a strange recommendation for a LHT. On almost any other type of bike it'd make more sense. If you were getting a CC or Pacer sure, but LHT? Hmm. I'm glad someone piped up about that - it could've been quite the kerfuffle.

Catrin: Hand-built wheels aren't necessary. The stock wheels on the LHT aren't bad Alex rims Shimano XT hubs with DT Swiss spokes 36 h. That is durable, hearty, stuff. I mean yeah, if you need extra performance upgrade em', but that should do for most cross-country tourers. Many people tour on completely stock LHT's, let alone ride around town on em'. The tires WTB Slickasaurus aren't puncture resistant - so yeah, upgrade the tires at least. The WTB Slickasaurus is $19 an extra $20 or so per tire and you can upgrade to puncture resistance. The stock crankset is good for touring, commuting, etc. You shouldn't need to go to SRAM for the crankset. The nice thing about Surly is they spec. their bikes out pretty well. So don't let them talk you into anything you don't "need."

[KnottedYet]

I have my quote for the new build! It is a little more expensive than I had originally planned - but with handmade wheels, thorn resistant tires, upgraded crank/derailleurs/other stuff I think that it is worth it. So it turned out to be $500 extra before labor and taxes - I think the added value will be worth it. I DO have someone checking out the quote for me who knows a lot more about bike components than I do - I know just enough to be dangerous

$500 over the cost of a Complete (which is $1,000)
$300-$400 bike build labor
$100 tax
= $1,900 - $2,000

Y'know, one of the fun things starting with stock is that you can upgrade as you learn and as you ride. Plus, at about 1/2 the budget by purchasing stock, you have quite a bit of your $2,000 left for the silly-but-fun personalizing touches... like those beautiful wooden fenders! Some things should be "upgraded" or "customized" immediately; like saddle, bars, and often pedals. Fit and comfort is of primary importance, no quibble there.

You just learned how to ride a bike. Maybe trust the stock selections on the LHT Complete, so that as your riding style develops you can develop your bike as well?

[Catrin]

$500 over the cost of a Complete (which is $1,000)
$300-$400 bike build labor
$100 tax
= $1,900 - $2,000

Actually it isn't that high - before labor/taxes the cost is $1,400 ($320 above the cost of the complete LHT with a MRSP of ~$1,080) with labor and taxes the final cost = $1,640 (still less than the Fargo before taxes - though not by much).

I've a friend looking at the quote to see if it is actually worth the cost - I am not doing ANYTHING before March 18th... Self-enforced waiting period is a good thing - especially when I really want something A few of the upgrades in this custom build they are giving to me at a deep discount and wouldn't be available later...so they are worth considering. I appreciate the advice for sure. Of course some of the parts were not changed.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, yeah! Love that self-enforced waiting period! I made myself wait a week and take my Surly CC for a second test ride before I bought her.

That was one heck of a tough week... whew!

[Catrin]

Oh, yeah! Love that self-enforced waiting period! I made myself wait a week and take my Surly CC for a second test ride before I bought her.

That was one heck of a tough week... whew!

hehehe, such is the way of things - and I am waiting for 3 weeks I know me when I really really want something. The choice isn't for/against the LHT, but between standard/custom - so that requires a longer self-enforced waiting time