Fit and function: Redline Classic vs LHT vs Surly CC vs ??

[Catrin]

I love my LHT....but I love my custom Gunnar even more... I never thought that my LHT would become my back-up and trainer bike. Poor LHT...I think I need to ride it soon so it doesn't get depressed - I haven't ridden it since May

[Owlie]

You should take her out before she starts acting up.

(On a related note, I really hope my Giant doesn't find out that I've been test-riding other bikes. )

[Catrin]

You should take her out before she starts acting up.

(On a related note, I really hope my Giant doesn't find out that I've been test-riding other bikes. )

Indeed I should - I was going to yesterday for my Friday AM ride, but my hip was troubling me a bit when I got up so rode the Gunnar instead. She is a comfy bike, but I have a harder time in the hills with her than I do my Gunnar - though to be fair I do have a full mountain drivetrain on the Gunnar, while it is a mixed mountain/road drivetrain on the LHT. I will take her to the park sometime this week, it will be interesting to see what I think of the SPD pedals after falling in love with my Frogs

Just tell the Giant that you want to get her a partner

[Owlie]

She'll be my trainer/backup bike, and goodness knows I want a backup for tuneups/part replacements!

[Sardine]

I love my LHT, it rides as smooth as butter. I wouldn't advise you purchasing a bike you already know is too large for you - I did that - there is only so much that can be done, and only so many stems available. Better to take more time and find something that comes closer to fitting you.

My LHT isn't the fastest bike out there, but it is all-day-long comfortable. I will eventually put lighter wheels on it and reserve the stock wheels for actual loaded touring.

This is the 46cm 2010 LHT, with 2-inch riser bars and Titec bar-ends.

May I ask a question too? Catrin, I joined the forum recently and I'm in a similar position with my touring bike (not LHT, but a 2008 model of this http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Ran...ypage.tpl.html). It's my favourite bike but due to a change in circumstances, I'm unlikely to be doing loaded touring in the near future. I've been using it on and off for commuting because it's a nice ride but it's heavier than I need. A set of lighter wheels is possibly the solution for me too. However, I'm not quite sure what to go for and whether it would actually work. Have you explored this option any more? Thanks.

[Catrin]

May I ask a question too? Catrin, I joined the forum recently and I'm in a similar position with my touring bike (not LHT, but a 2008 model of this http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Ran...ypage.tpl.html). It's my favourite bike but due to a change in circumstances, I'm unlikely to be doing loaded touring in the near future. I've been using it on and off for commuting because it's a nice ride but it's heavier than I need. A set of lighter wheels is possibly the solution for me too. However, I'm not quite sure what to go for and whether it would actually work. Have you explored this option any more? Thanks.

If I decide to keep my LHT, which is likely, I will eventually just get the same set of wheels for the LHT that I have for my Gunnar. Both have 26 inch wheels, and my Mavic Crossride wheelset for my Gunnar are both strong and quite light. The stock wheels on my LHT are great and indeed bomb-proof, but are also very heavy and are just too much for non-touring. I really think that would go far to provide a more responsive ride as well as decreasing the weight.

[Sardine]

Thanks. It didn't even occur to me to get a lighter set of wheels until I read your post. I've just been fretting about whether to sell it or not as I'll be getting my first road bike soon. You've been really helpful. You and the other women on this forum have some amazing bikes!

[Catrin]

Thanks. It didn't even occur to me to get a lighter set of wheels until I read your post. I've just been fretting about whether to sell it or not as I'll be getting my first road bike soon. You've been really helpful. You and the other women on this forum have some amazing bikes!

My LBS suggested this solution to me. Touring bikes have to be very strong in order to carry the weight of loaded touring and if it is a smaller size can be somewhat over-built anyway. Good luck on your decision, if you love the bike don't sell it just because you are getting another road bike Touring bikes also make great commuters and winter bikes - as well as just all-day long tootling around.

[Sardine]

Couldn't agree with you more. I'm happiest riding it in the winter as it feels really stable. But I also have a steel audax bike which is my main commuter and a Brompton, and running out of space - I've had them all for a while and would like to try something lighter and faster.

If I can get the right wheels, I'm going to keep the Condor. I googled Mavic Crossride earlier and it doesn't look like it will work for me as my bike takes 700c wheels but at least I have a starting point. It's certainly helped to 'talk' it through.

[Catrin]

Couldn't agree with you more. I'm happiest riding it in the winter as it feels really stable. But I also have a steel audax bike which is my main commuter and a Brompton, and running out of space - I've had them all for a while and would like to try something lighter and faster.

If I can get the right wheels, I'm going to keep the Condor. I googled Mavic Crossride earlier and it doesn't look like it will work for me as my bike takes 700c wheels but at least I have a starting point. It's certainly helped to 'talk' it through.

Didn't think about the wheel size, all of my bikes have 26 inch wheels and I forget this is probably unusual, There is only one Crossride wheel that takes rim brakes, all of the others require discs. You DO know the perfect number of bikes is N+1? Pity we haven't found the perfect expandable bike-storage solution...