Your Surly Bikes - show them to me. Please, I mean.

[moderncyclista]

hmm, I tried a LHT in 42 the other day and it did not feel as great as my trek 520. I just felt so sluggish. I only went for a short ride and I could tell that the bike had not been properly tweaked. Does anyone else feel this way after her first ride? Can anyone pipe in if it is a difference in geometry I am not used to, heavier stock components than mine, or just a bike that is not tuned up properly?
I really wanted to like it but it just didn't feel right. I'm just hoping my first impressions are wrong. I am not trying to bash it, so sorry!

I am one of the rare people who own both a Trek 520 and a Surly LHT. The 520 is more nimble and the tubing is definitely smaller diameter equaling lighter weight.

The LHT is stouter tubed but transfers less vibration to my hands and with fat tires is the cushest coolest ride on the road! I can go quite fast on my Surly. I had a guy honk at me in traffic one day (I thought he was going to be rude) he was smiling and yelled, "You're going over 30 miles per hour!" as he excitedly waved. (Disclaimer: this was on a small down-hill descent and I kept spinning into the flat and had gained great momentum. My average speed is not anywhere near that. Trust me, slow turtle.)

The bike itself doesn't make you fast or slow in my opinion. Being a better or worse cyclist does. I need more cardio, because all the skinny road-racing girls could kick my butt with their endurance, even on LHTs. But on windy days, nothing is tugging that LHT out of my hands or sweeping me over. Also, during the winter -- there is no better commuter.

I love the LHT. There is a transition when moving from one to the other. The gearing isn't the same and one feels weird after I've consistently ridden the other.

(Random statement: I'm sort of hankerin' to get a Cross-Check and turn it into a single speed.) Point being if you're not used to something, it will feel weird.

[Hartmame]

Here is mine. Built up from parts and I think it turned out real nice. It has matching tires now and I'm slowly adding things to get it ready for touring.

[moderncyclista]

Here is mine. Built up from parts and I think it turned out real nice. It has matching tires now and I'm slowly adding things to get it ready for touring.

Built from spare parts? Very nice bike you have there! Great job.

Also, to the other 520 riders I just swapped my rear cassette out on the 520. Anyone else had this done??? I felt like the "steps" between gears was just too large and I was never in the "right" gear to keep up a good cadence. Any thoughts?

And, finally more bikes everybody! Pics are wonderful to all who've posted!

[Hartmame]

I thought I'd post an updated photo of my Surly LHT.

[jezbael]

Me and my truckaccino Surly LHT traveling around Prince Edward Island, Canada.

http://travelgeeks.blogspot.ca/2012/...-cove.html?m=1

[Scrappy]

My 50cm LHT setup with Trekking Bars. Since this picture was taken I have added a B17 Imperial, changed the smallest chain ring to a 24t and put fatter tires on . The upright ride + trekking bars feels so much like driving a car, that sometimes I hit the turn signal at a stop sign, only to realize there isn't one..lol

Scrappy

[Catrin]

Scrappy - this...is...just...beautiful! Thanks for the picture!

[Kubla]

My 50cm LHT setup with Trekking Bars. Since this picture was taken I have added a B17 Imperial, changed the smallest chain ring to a 24t and put fatter tires on . The upright ride + trekking bars feels so much like driving a car, that sometimes I hit the turn signal at a stop sign, only to realize there isn't one..lol

Scrappy

Scrappy, that looks so cool! The wheels in particular caught my eye for some reason-what kind are they? They offset the black frame well. (My bikes have stock black wheels, but I am partial to a chrome finish.)

I've never tried trekking bars, but they look as though they'd be comfortable. (Where are the shifters?)