Surly Love

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, I just don't see the point of switching one pair of 40cm for another pair of 40cm; especially when it's the first pair of drops someone has ever ridden.

Riding usually tells you best of all what you need. If stock is acceptable, I'd go with that for starters.

[Catrin]

Yeah, I just don't see the point of switching one pair of 40cm for another pair of 40cm; especially when it's the first pair of drops someone has ever ridden.

Riding usually tells you best of all what you need. If stock is acceptable, I'd go with that for starters.

I don't think he looked at the complete build specs that closely and did not see that the bike comes with compact 40cm bars for the three smallest sizes. The same thing happened with his spec for the brake levers, he included the standard size, not the compact size that Surly includes for the two smallest sizes. This is the same individual who first thought the LHT would not fit me - but I understand that he was very busy that day and just looked at something incorrectly.

I am also checking with another LBS in town - they are newer and may be willing to give me a lower price on the complete build if they have a spring sale on 2010 models. I was surprised to note that their fitting fee ($200), is good for the life of the bike - so if you use their professional fitting services and problems develop later, or changes are needed due to upgrades/whatever, there is no additional charge. For a small store that specializes in mountain biking, they have two fitters, one is female. This is the same store I visited yesterday to see the LHT.

All of this is certainly a learning experience! Ok, back to drooling over the beautiful new bikes in the new edition of Bicycling
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New information - I just spoke with that other LBS, and while their March sale is just on 2009 models that are left, they include the full lifetime of the bike $200 professional fitting (for free) in with the sale of each bike. This other store is looking better all of the time... The LBS I have dealt with throws in a quick basic fitting for free, if you get it within 4 weeks of purchase.

[canonsue]

I have a 42cm Truckaccino LHT. I love the color. The other modifications that I have done is fenders, Books Flyer saddle, Salsa adjustable seat post, cycle computer, Surly Nice back rack and new tires. (I did not like the original tires on dirt and the original seat post was very difficult to adjust for Books saddle.)

-Sue

[bikerHen]

I'm coming into the bar discussion a little late, took the weekend off to go on a bike ride.

My sister bought a Complete LHT two summers ago and the bars that were stock on hers were totally different than my stock bar and were in my opinion, my sisters opinion and the bike shops opinion ( Free Range) not good bars. The only thing my sister changed at purchase was the seat and bars. Of course she has done some cosmetic pimping in the two years since!

In regards to the other changes, I put close to 7000 miles on my LHT before all the upgrades. The stock components may not be top of the line, but they will last you a good long while. bikerHen

[Catrin]

bikerHen - congrats on being able to go riding this weekend Do you remember what bars came on hers? I am wondering if Surly has since changed that - my size takes smaller bars than what comes on most of the LHT - just the compact size of the same model.

I AM trying to find out what the weight of the 42 and 46 cm bikes are - my car rack sits pretty high on my Lancer and am trying to figure out if I need to do extra strength training to hoist the LHT on it

[KnottedYet]

If you can lift your hybrid onto the rack, you'll be able to lift your LHT.

My steel Surly is definitely lighter than my aluminum hybrid.

ETA: the LHT frame weighs around five pounds. What you put ON the frame has more to do with the weight.

[Catrin]

If you can lift your hybrid onto the rack, you'll be able to lift your LHT.

My steel Surly is definitely lighter than my aluminum hybrid.

Cool, that is good to know - I think my 7.6 is something like 24 pounds? I had just assumed that the steel bike would be heavier.

Has anyone with an LHT tried the stock saddle? Though I must admit that the one I saw on the 56cm frame didn't look comfortable at all...

[Tiddle]

I've only tried the stock saddle in a short test ride, so can't really comment.

However I have read on oodles of Surly forum posts that they are pretty ordinary - its like they put a really basic saddle on with the knowledge that everyone is going to switch it out for their preferred saddle. Being built for long hauls, saddle comfort is paramount!

[Catrin]

I've only tried the stock saddle in a short test ride, so can't really comment.

However I have read on oodles of Surly forum posts that they are pretty ordinary - its like they put a really basic saddle on with the knowledge that everyone is going to switch it out for their preferred saddle. Being built for long hauls, saddle comfort is paramount!

I never even tried the stock saddle - before it left the shop the first time it was sporting a nice Brooks B-17 saddle.

Regarding the weight question I asked earlier in this thread some time ago - my LHT is noticeably lighter than my aluminum with carbon fork Trek 7.6 FX wsd bike. That was a surprise!

[Tiddle]

Lighter than a trek FX ....YAY that's good news

I've just ordered a Cross Check to replace my trek 7.3 FX, relieved to hear it will be a bit lighter. (Might start a new thread on this so I don't hijack this one)

I talked DH out of buying a roof rack cause I didn't think I'd be able to lift the steel that high. Have you tried lifting it up onto the rack yet, or above your head?

[Catrin]

Lighter than a trek FX ....YAY that's good news

I've just ordered a Cross Check to replace my trek 7.3 FX, relieved to hear it will be a bit lighter. (Might start a new thread on this so I don't hijack this one)

I talked DH out of buying a roof rack cause I didn't think I'd be able to lift the steel that high. Have you tried lifting it up onto the rack yet, or above your head?

If you look at my photo here of my "matching" car and bike, you will note that the trunk is quite high - at least for someone who is 5'3 in her stocking feet:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=37052&page=3 and scroll down the page.

My Trek 7.6 is quite the chore to get it up on the rack, and it isn't just due to the sloping top tube, the weight plays a role as well. My all-steel Surly Long Haul Trucker is quite noticeably lighter and takes much less effort to get it on my rack. That doesn't mean that the Trek weighs 30 pounds or anything, I think it is in the low-20 pound range.

The LHT LOOKS smaller than the Trek, unless they are standing side by side - they are close to the same length and it is only the different geometry and the smaller wheels of the Surly that makes it look smaller. It really isn't though, outside of the 26-inch wheels. Eventually I will be adding fenders and racks to the LHT (the fenders will come in a couple of weeks) and it will be interesting to see what that does to the weight.

[Tiddle]

My Trek 7.6 is quite the chore to get it up on the rack, and it isn't just due to the sloping top tube, the weight plays a role as well.

I ended up getting a bolt on top / cross bar to mount my Trek on the rack because of its sloping TT (and it saves the nice paint work too!)

Thanks for the link. Your car and LHT were meant to be together!

[Catrin]

I ended up getting a bolt on top / cross bar to mount my Trek on the rack because of its sloping TT (and it saves the nice paint work too!)

Thanks for the link. Your car and LHT were meant to be together!

I think so too!

I got the cross-bar that clamps on my bike made by Saris and it actually doesn't make it much easier - I still have to struggle to get one side of the bike on the rack because of that TT - there just isn't much room between the cross-bar and the TT.

What size is your Trek? I wonder if this is because mine is so small - it is the smallest 7.6 they make.