Description The Long Haul Trucker is built, as you might expect, as a touring bike. But it does a lot of other stuff good too, like commuting, day trips, double centuries, and of course beer runs. We set it up wi...
Bike Setup: Stock everything except wheels and pedals. I had Joe young build me a set of 26" wheels with 40 spokes and velocity rims with white ind. hubs. The wheels cost almost as much as the bike. Im so satisfied with the wheels. youngwheels.com
surly front and rear rack which are the best made on the market.
Summary: Actually its a 2008 model. I was so excited about getting this bike. After having it some time this is where I am at. Surly advertises as an American Bike but actaully its made in Tiawan. I was dissapointed to see that made in sticker on the bottom bracket. I was looking for an American made bike. Top tube length is extra long so get a size smaller than you would think or be way stretched out.
Strengths: Haul a trailer house an iron worker anvil or 5000 lb. lead weight. This rigid framed cycle is bombproof and will haul a load.
Weaknesses: If your looking for a speedster dont buy this one. The long haul trucker is a tank. make sure your pedels are level in a hard turn or you will ground out and need a friend to pick you up off the pavement like i did. i feel the bottom bracket is too low even with 170 mm crank arms.
Similar Products Used: Trek 520 the ultimate touring machine although I wanted something in 26" wheels
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Bike Setup: Stock, with down-tube shifters. Mavic rims and awesome Conti 32c tires (or 37 where warranted).
Summary: It is what it is. It's tough, reliable and smooth. But it's lethargic. If you keep it to level-ish ground out won't be disappointed.
Performance does not include or inspire speed. It's just not that kind of bike. Consider it a minivan and you've got the right idea. Sometimes you need a minivan and sometimes you're in one when you really want to rock and roll - and you can't. There it is.
Where am I coming from:
I'm a commuter, tourist, and performance rider. This bike is limp which is a little acceptable for a commuter or even tourer, maybe.
I'm a touring bike weenie (2 Miyatas, 2 Cannondales over 23 years) and I like this one a lot less than any of those.
The other thing about these LHT's is they have long top-tubes for touring bikes. Bear that in mind when fitting - you may need to take a size smaller than you'd think.
Strengths: Good value. Tough. Reliable. These are good characteristics of a full on tourer.
Capable of carrying a lot bags.
Weaknesses: It's not very versatile. It does one thing well and other things not so much.
It's no fun to ride. It cringes at the sight of an incline.
For me it sucks a lot of the joy of cycling out of cycling. Really there is no reason for that. Other tourers are more versatile.
I've used more responsive 26" based bikes in really hard conditions.
Similar Products Used: - 2 700c-based Miyatas (excellent in their day).
- 1 26"-based rigid Cannondale (excellent for really rough conditions and heavy slogging)
- 2 700c based Cannondales (excellent ride and very versatile, play with tire width to match conditions).
I would recommend the Cannondale 700c setup for a lot of circumstances. They are more expensive and less easy to repair in the third world, but they are joy to ride! If you're looking for a true third-world tourer you'd be better off with 26" rigid bike anyway.
Life is too short to ride lifeless bikes or anchors.
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Bike Setup: Stock set-up minus saddle plus front and rear pannier racks.
Summary: Great bike for the price. I road everything I could get my hands on in a similar price range and found now comparison. I've been quite pleased using this bike as a commuter and fully-loaded touring bike.
Strengths: I loaded the bike with my #250 and gear for a late Minnesota Fall tour. Oh yeah, I even brought a full size steel camp chair. The bike handle me and the other load beautifully. Surly seemed to put money into the components that matter most.
Weaknesses: Really heavy. The third water bottle mount on the bottom of the down tube will only hold a very short bottle. The stock seat is worthless.
Similar Products Used: An old Fuji converted to a touring bike and a Trek 950 mountain bike.
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Summary: Tough as a tank. Rode it continuously six months and 3,200 miles from Key West, Florida to Albuquerque, New Mexico in all weathers and terrain. Never failed me and never broke down.
Strengths: Tough as nails frame. Shimano 27-speed drive train worked flawlessly. Had 100lbs. of gear in 4 panniers plus me (260lbs.) and the bike never so much as popped a spoke.
Weaknesses: Replaced saddle for a wider gel-padded one.
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Bike Setup: Mavic 719 rims, 36 spokes, Xt hubs
Schwalbe Marathon XR 700 x 40 (no longer produced in 40 width)
Hone crank 22/32/44
Deore cassette 11-34
Platfrom pedals
Brooks b17 campion special
Summary: Rode this bike on my 14,000+ mile Alaska-to-Argentina bike ride (panambikeride.com) and it is still riding strong. Comfortable and reliable, I loved (and continue to love) this bike.
Strengths: Strong, simple, cheap, comfortable, and classy....
Weaknesses: In larger frame sizes 26" wheels not available, which is a drawback for Central/South American touring.
Similar Products Used: Test ridden Thorn's Touring Bike equipped with the Rohloff Hub, a Rivandale touring frame, other similar Europeon brands of which I can't recall the names---all fine bikes.
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