Building a Surly LHT
- Aushiker
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Building a Surly LHT
Postby Aushiker » Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:31 pm
I have started planning my next stage of my cycling, road touring. I already have my off-road tourer and the BOB Ibex trailer, so looking for a road specific tourer which will pull the BOB and/or take panniers depending on the circumstances.
My initial thought was to get a tourer which would also substitute as my commuter replacing Chase my CRX 1, but I am now thinking of getting a second hand OCR or similar as my commuter and getting a dedicated tourer.
The road tourer I get will need to be okay on roads of course but I also plan to do a lot of riding on minor unsealed roads. Anything more "off-road" than that, I will use Julia my XTC 2. It will be used to climb hills (WA mountains).
So to get to the chase, I am thinking either a Surly LHT or the Vivente Randonneur that Pete is a fan of. For some reason, which I really can't put my finger on, I like the look of the Surly more hence this post.
What I am interested in is how would you, given the chance, modify a Surly LHT. I am really interested in thoughts on every part of the bike from tires right through to groupset. I guess my $$$ range would be under $2500 given I could buy a Surly off the shelf for around $1600 + accessories.
I suspect the frame would a be 56 cm hence 700 c tires.
Suggestions on how to spend my dollars?
Regards
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:37 pm
Whoops, forgot one thing. I would prefer STI over bar ends. So first question is, is it simple to change the shifters? Worth it? Necessary if just used as a tourer? To get the ball rolling, the first cost is the complete bike is:
1 x 56 cm Surly LHT - $1565.00
Edited: Moving starting point to a complete bike.
Andrew
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- Caelum
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Postby Caelum » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:00 pm
My thoughts on a build was:
View 64370
Shimano XT Chainset HollowTech II M770
175mm 4-Bolt 22.32.44
£85.10
(188.24 AUD)
View 73140
Avid Shorty 6
Front - Nickel
£22.97
(50.81 AUD)
View 73141
Avid Shorty 6
Rear - Nickel
£22.97
(50.81 AUD)
View 35236
Easton EA50 Ergo-Bend Road Bar
42cm Black 31.8
£23.82
(52.69 AUD)
View 64365
Shimano XT Cassette 9 Speed M770
11-32
£29.78
(65.87 AUD)
View 45679
Shimano XT Rear Derailleur M761
SGS Long Cage
Out Of Stock Item
About out of stock orders
£25.52
(56.45 AUD)
View 69296
Shimano Tiagra STI 9 Speed 4500
Set Left & Right Triple
£76.59
(169.42 AUD)
View 64379
Shimano XT Front Derailleur Top Swing M770
28.6-34.9 Dual Pull
Out Of Stock Item
About out of stock orders
£17.01
(37.63 AUD)
View 50890
Pro PLT 3D Alloy Stem
90mm -/+10 Deg Black 1.1/8" 31.8mm
£27.23
(60.23 AUD)
Total:
£330.99
(732.15 AUD)
Which would leave you with enough money for a decent wheelset, and any parts that i've missed
- Aushiker
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Postby Aushiker » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:05 pm
Andrew
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Postby Caelum » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:14 pm
The only thing i'm not *Really* happy with on the complete bike is the crankset and front derailleur... I'd rather see an XT FD on there, along with crank.
I'm not totally convinced about the bar-end shifters either... but i'm thinking that they'll probably be more reliable than STIs...
- il padrone
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Postby il padrone » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:16 pm
For touring I'd add:
Tubus Cargo rear rack £75.00
Tubus Tara front rack ~£60.00
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- Kalgrm
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Postby Kalgrm » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:16 pm
I realise this is not what you're asking for, and I really hate it when someone doesn't answer the question posed myself, but I'm going to try and lead you astray anyway ...
Would you consider making a set of disc 700c touring wheels to fit on your XtC? Total cost for that would be around $500 including tyres. Mounting aero-bars and/or bar-ends to your current flat bar would help provide other hand positions.
I know it's not as much fun as planning a new toy, but it's a very viable option.
Cheers,
Graeme
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....
- Aushiker
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Postby Aushiker » Sun Oct 05, 2008 1:30 am
Done some work on costing options. Not complete (e.g., brake and gear cables). Spreadsheet is published here. Looks like the Vivente World Randonneur comes out on top.
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:50 am
Well that is the big question. I went into Glen Parker Cycles at Nedlands yesterday as they normally stock one. Sadly they had nothing but will be getting another one in, when they become available. I have emailed Vivente to see if I can get an idea on availability. Awaiting a reply.Caelum wrote:Where would you be looking at getting the Vivente from?
BTW I believe the 2009 LHT are now out as well along with a new colour scheme.
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:57 am
Cool. Do you know what size and if it will be a stock item?Caelum wrote:I spoke to Steve from Elite Racing Cycles about a week back, he's also getting in a LHT for me to have a test ride on... Be interesting to see which years model it'll be...
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:01 pm
Sounds good. Let us know how you go. Would love to have a look at it and a ride either way My size I think tooCaelum wrote:56cm, and it wont be a stock item.... unless i don't decide to purchase, then he'll have one in stock
I've not committed to a sale yet, but steve was really helpful on the phone, and was willing to order one in for me to try out beforehand.
Andrew
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Postby il padrone » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:29 pm
One advantage of using bar-end shifters is it enables you to run the Dia-Compe brake levers that will work with V-brakes for better brake power. Using STI you need to fit the 'travel adjuster' fitting on the brake cables - I think this is a bit of a heath-robinson solution. V-brakes are a big plus for loaded touring, where you may have to slow a 25kg load on a steep mountain descent.Aushiker wrote:Whoops, forgot one thing. I would prefer STI over bar ends. So first question is, is it simple to change the shifters? Worth it? Necessary if just used as a tourer?
Looking at the complete LHT it runs cantilever brakes A shame really as they are not as powerful as V-brakes and a right pain to adjust.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Postby Aushiker » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:33 pm
As does the Vivente it would seem ... Shimano Cantilever Br-r550 . Mind you they do offer a disc front as an option. That might be worth considering.il padrone wrote:Looking at the complete LHT it runs cantilever brakes A shame really as they are not as powerful as V-brakes and a right pain to adjust.
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:26 pm
Just spoken to the WA rep for Vivente (impressive service - some distributors/LBS could learn a few tricks from these guys) and he thinks (off the top of his head) that Balmoral Cycles in East Vic Park and Cycle Centre (?), near the mint in the City have them in stock.
Andrew
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Postby Aushiker » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:23 pm
I spoke to both dealers. Cycle Centre are in the process of a move or something so wasn't sure of stock. Balmoral have medium in stock. Me is heading there for a sticky.Caelum wrote:I think i might be around vic park on the weekend, might take my bike up there and find this place.. check it out...
Or maybe i should not take my bike there... and ride a new one home
From my chat with the WA rep, any LBS should be able to get one.
Oh got the prices are going up 15-25% from Balmoral Cycles too.
Andrew
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Postby Caelum » Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:53 am
Cadro: Orbea Fitness Alu
Horquilla: Carbon Cross
Dirección: 1 1/8 Semiintegrated
Freos: Tektro 922 Ag
Maneta de Freo: Shimano Tiagra
Mandos: Shimano Tiagra
Pedalier: ---
Pedales: Vp-X93
Cadena: Shimano Hg 73
Cassete: Shimano Tiagra 9s 12x25
Bielas: Shimano Tiagra 50/39/30
Cubertas: Continental 700x32 Sport Contact Reflex
Llantas: 700 Orbea D.W.Black
Bujes: 700 Orbea D.W.Black
Potencia: Adjustable Swell X-Tasy
Manillar: Anatomic Road
Desviador: Shimano Tiagra
Cambio: ShimanoTiagra
SillÃn: Selle Italia Zoo Gel Flow Trans Am
Tixa SillÃn: Sp-297 Black
Cores: Branco,Azul ,Naranxa-Marron, Vermello-Gris, Negro-Banco
Tallas: 48,51,54,57,60
Peso: ---
- il padrone
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Postby il padrone » Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:36 pm
Don't try putting front panniers or a rack on those cool carbon forks though
Very good potential as a fine Audax bike.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Postby Aushiker » Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:32 pm
Got this reply from Nick at Bikeforce:
The carbon fork on a tourer is the thing the bothers me a little. I am not worried so much about not being able to use a front pannier as I will use the BOB but[/but] if I wanted to tour interstate or overseas it could be an issue.The Arama is a lovely bike, just weird we have not sold it yet...anyway, spec as follows:
Frame Alloy 'made in Spain'
Carbon fork with Low rider mounts
105 parts as follows:
STI levers
Rear hub
both mechs
Chainset
Shimano Dyno front hub
Halogen lamp front
Tubus rear rack
Chromoplastic guards
Nice Xtacy adjustable stem
Alloy drop bars
Conti Tyres
Alloy Mini V's
Take it for a spin any time...
Anyway another option to consider.
Andrew
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