Touring bikes -Surly LHT

[emily_in_nc]

Do you have the bar end shifters? If yes, how long did it take for you to get used to them? I'm almost thinking about asking them to mount the shifters on the tube so that it's more like an old fashioned index shifting bike. The bar end shifters were difficult to get used to for me.

I'm not the person you asked, but I got bar-end shifters (for the first time ever in many years of riding) on my Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe built for touring, and I adapted to them quickly. In fact, I like them a lot! They were recommended to me because of the mountain gearing and brakes on my bike, since I wanted drop handlebars. The only slight negative is that you do have to move your hands to shift, but if you're comfortable riding and an average or above bike-handler, that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Would be harder for a new rider, I'm sure. The shifter also occasionally hits my thigh if I have to turn sharply, but that's a rarity.

[Sky King]

Yesterday I rode a 54 cm disc trucker on our Oregon Trail ride. 42 miles on dirt roads, 40 degrees and a headwind of about 15 mph - ugh. But the bike was great. I swapped out the stock tires for some Schwalbe Marathon Supremes 26 x 2. I also put my Rivet Saddle on and went a new direction with handlebars and rode the Nitto Moustache. I had the bike hermit put a little shorter stem on as well. I am a betweener with Surly. A 52 is a tad small and a 54 a tad big but with the shorter stem I solved the problem.

I have bar end shifters on Sky, my Rivendell and of course on the Surly too. I love them and don't ever feel like I am searching to shift. On the moustache I can actually do some shifting by simply moving the palm of my hand.
I concur that a steel bike with some nice tires makes a fabulous commuting and touring bike. I will take the comfort and stability over light weight any day of the week. The bike absorbs the bumps, etc of the road instead of my body, reducing fatigue.

We have several photos on our website of different configurations of handlebars, etc on Surly LHT go take a peak.

[Bethany1]

I have a Salsa Fargo which is an off-road touring bike that is more mountain bike style than road. However; the ride is comfortable, I like the drop bars and the bar end shifters are nice and simple. Salsa and Surly make great bikes that are comfortable and made for touring. I rode the LHT once and liked it, but found the Fargo fitted my needs more.

[WindingRoad]

Me loves me Salsa Vaya

[Catrin]

Me loves me Salsa Vaya

It is a beautiful bike!

I fell in love with the Fargo back in 2010, but they don't come small enough for me...which is what led me to find the LHT.

[azfiddle]

Dogmama, did you pursue the LHT?

I found a 43 cm Trek 520 - but even with that size reach is long for me. My friend bought it and I can borrow if I don't mind not really being able to ride in the hoods. I wonder if the 42 cm LHT would fit me if I wanted to try touring.

[Dogmama]

Dogmama, did you pursue the LHT?

I found a 43 cm Trek 520 - but even with that size reach is long for me. My friend bought it and I can borrow if I don't mind not really being able to ride in the hoods. I wonder if the 42 cm LHT would fit me if I wanted to try touring.

The LHT is on temporary hold contingent on the cost of a dental procedure for my dog...sigh...

The LHTs I rode (the 50 and 46) seemed pretty true to size. I ride a size 50 road bike and the 50 LHT was comparable. I still have the LHT on my next big purchase list. It was a really sweet ride.