Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

I bought this bike from my local bike shop and it's great. This is the bike the most people should be riding since most people don't race and they just want a comfortable bike to ride.

This bike is very comfortable for rides lasting as long as you do. You can get the handlebars up where they belong instead of down low in a racing setup. The geometry makes it stable at all speeds (I've had it up in the low 40-mph), it's comfortable on less than perfect pavement or even forest service roads.

When riding with a group I can easily ride at 19-20mph even with my fenders and racks on it. The bike easily carries my touring load (30-40 pounds total) and is "happier" with the load on it.

If you want a road bike that'll do everything well and do it comfortably, get yourself a Trucker.

Things I changed...
* Swapped out the factory seat for a new Brooks B-17 CS
* Swapped the factory brake pads for some Salmon colored Kool-Stops
* Added some Planet Bike Cascadia fenders
* Added a Tubus Cargo and Tara rack

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

I purchased a Surly LHT in early 2009 and spent the next nine months racking up a little over 4,200 miles on a trans-continental trip from Key West, FL to San Diego, CA and back to my home in New Mexico.

Now that I've established my meager creds, allow me to make a few points concerning this bicycle.

1) I'm firmly convinced this is the best all-around, long-distance touring bicycle made in the world.

2)In nine months of continuous use in all weathers and conditions - including more than one crash and constantly overloaded with four panniers stuffed with camping gear- it never failed me. Not once.

3) Yes. It sometimes "flexes" when you're standing up on the pedals to attack a steep incline (or bay bridge) while loaded with gear. It's supposed to. That's why the frame is constructed of cromoly steel. So that the frame will flex under heavy loads as opposed to BREAKING LIKE A BRITTLE TWIG. If you desire a bicyle that doesn't flex, buy a carbon composite or some other less stong or flexible material. Just don't expect it to stand up to the rigors of heavy loads over long distances. It won't.

3) The forks don't "shimmy" at faster speeds, as claimed by some reviewers. If you put racks and panniers on the front forks and start ripping down the backside of a hill or mountain, you naturally increase the amount of air striking the loaded panniers. If your speed is sufficent and the panniers are loaded, you will reach a point where the wind banging against the panniers will cause the entire front of the bicycle to start vibrating. This happened to me a few times. But in truth, I will admit to going DANGEROUSLY fast down the back side of steep mountains. The point I'm trying to make: ANYTHING, regardless how sleek, will start to vibrate if ENOUGH wind resistance is battering it. It's called physics.

4) The Surly LHT IS A HEAVY BICYCLE. It's designed that way. It's a long-distance road crusing TANK built to handle LOTS of gear and a rider over whatever distance you may care to tackle. It isn't a racer. It isn't a dirt bike. It's not supposed to be.

If long-distance cruising is your thing, buy the LHT. You won't be disappointed.

Peace.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

Bought 2010 model - 58cm, 700c wheels, Arkel panniers on Surly racks for self supported tour across US. With 30#s on front and 50#s on rear, if that, bike wobbles and drifts from side to side. Surly has no clue why this is happening as I'm under max weight for bike and basically have blown me off. Fork is to spindly and has no modular stength, frame flexes and has become very dangerous. Am now in Virginia changing fork out and adding brake booster to stiffen frame at my own cost including hotel as I wait. Surly people have made a sale and don't give a darn now.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

I've owned two Long Haul Truckers for a couple of years now, and have ridden them on road, greenway, and light trails while towing a trailer and with panniers.

Ignore the reviews that talk about the bike handling poorly. Any touring bike will handle poorly if the panniers are not properly loaded and placed properly on a bicycle. a quick Google search for "how to load panniers" brings up several well done articles on the matter by Adventure Cycling and Bicycle Quarterly.

Surly has made an incredible touring bike that is as much fun to take on group ride as it to load up and take on a bicycle tour. It has one the best riding frames of any touring bike on the market, and is thoughtfully spec'ed out. It features a robust parts package that will hold up in a variety of conditions and a frame that is both smooth riding and, unlike the Cannondale's absurdly thin aluminum touring frames, incredibly robust. This is important when you're going to install fenders, racks, and bags not the bike.

Surly makes an awesome bike, and I cannot recommend any other touring bicycle under $2000. It is the gold standard for touring, and will give you many years of great riding!

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

Back in May 2007 I got one of the first completes of this bike that was available. I picked my size using the 'rivendell fit method' (google it) after months of research and indecision. I looked at just about every major manufacturer out there and this was as good as it got for the price. 3 years and 3500 miles later I can't imagine owning a much more fantastic, durable, and comfortable bike.

I've taken it on centuries, overnight camping trips to the next state with 35 pounds of gear, countless commutes, runs to the grocery store and rides around town. This bike handles it all including tame singletrack. I've all but replaced my car for trips under 10 miles and if it wasn't for my own laziness that radius would be much higher. It's paid for itself with the money I've saved in gas and parking fees.

Changes I've made
Brooks B17n saddle
Mavic A719/XT wheelset - the stock machine built wheelset uses good components, but should have the spoke tension balanced and the wheels trued for the best performance. Otherwise they will go wobbly within the first 1000 miles, especially if you are big like me (250 when I started riding it, 220 now), carry a bunch of stuff as this bike is intended to do, or both. I wouldn't fault Surly on this, EVERY bike in this price range and lower I have seen has rims of similar quality which deserve a little professional attention. I got hand built wheels when I broke a spoke on the rear drive side after 1600 miles. I repaired the stock wheels and have them as backups now.
IRD Jakar Stainless Steel rear rack - various other front/rear racks & bags as need be. There's braze-ons EVERYWHERE on this bike for mounting stuff...
Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 35c tires (2000 miles and still going strong)
Aside from the wheels and tires, all I've replaced since purchase is the brake pads, cables, and bar wrap.

The only time handling felt anything other than stable was once at the end of a long day of riding when I had packed the bike top-heavy (15+ pounds of my gear above the wheels). I was super-tired climbing out of the saddle and there was a little sway. That's it.

My one complaint about the design is that with the low bottom bracket sometimes I will strike a pedal on the ground pedaling through corners if I'm using platforms. It never happens with my clipless pedals which aren't as wide. The low bb is part of what makes the bike so nice and stable, so this is less of a design flaw than a calculated compromise on the part of the manufacturers.

I daydream about picking up another trucker or maybe a crosscheck frame to build up as more of a cross or stout road bike. This one rides so nice that it almost seems superfluous. Look around on the net and you will find many many many others out there who will attest to the quality of this bike and how much fun it is to ride too.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

This bike is great. I bought the 2010 LHT at REI [...] and am delighted with how this bike performs. After an initial Shimano axle problem, the bike is smooth, rock solid, and a joy to ride. Especially long trips, IF YOU LOAD IT CORRECTLY, it does not wobble or shimmie.Hit gravel on pavement and you don't even notice it.2630 miles and going strong. This bike is not flimsy.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

I commute to work on this bike and take it on low-speed road rides. I've yet to take it on an overnight tour, but I can not wait to do so. Very comfortable and very smooth. Throw on a Brooks B17 saddle and some fenders and you're ready to start building it up for a serious ride. I love this bike.

And if you're surrounded by hills like I am, you'll love the gearing.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

I have done many fully loaded tours over the years and I have never had a significant problem with my bikes until I got the LHT. When fully loaded, the LHT shimmies like crazy when going more than 15 mph. Like the other reviewer, I also contacted Surly and was blown off. They treated me as if I was the only one who ever experienced this problem (although it seems pretty common on various discussion forums) and acted as if 15 mph was some sort of crazily fast speed (which it is not, especially when coming down from a mountain pass). I only experienced shimmying once on my previous touring bike, and I was going over 40 mph at the time.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

This is the best touring bike you can find for the money. I've used this bike for fully loaded touring, leisurely rides, running errands and it's always been a nice smooth ride.

I've read on quite a few blogs that people have upgraded to marathon tires after having problems with the stock tires, mostly with the 700cc models. I have the 26" tires and have not had any problems after almost a thousand miles. Half were fully loaded and many miles were on gravel roads and trails.

The only complaint I have about this bike is the paint job. It chips and scratches very easily. I also upgraded the saddle. However, all things considered, it's a small trade off considering the price range. You won't find a touring bike that compares for the price.

One more thing, before I bought this bike I read many reviews and many suggested getting a size smaller than usual. I don't know what it is about the lht, but it seems to be true and I wish I had done so but didn't.

Comments about Surly Long Haul Trucker Bike - 2010:

Ok After seeing more of these touring bikes out on the road and everyone is happy with there LHT. After Cycling the country at 11,000 miles I know what kind of bike I wanted. The LHT loaded properly handles great, and is great for getting around town with it striped down. I have the new 56cm All Black color with all Deore XT. It comes well ready for anything. Just make sure you put a few hundred away for some racks and fenders. I have the Jannd Expedition front and rear racks, and 45c SKS fenders. So after 1,400 I have a perfic Touring Bicycle. The 56cm frame came stock with 700*35c continental contacts. which are great touring tires that you can get a few thousand miles off of. Make sure they do a fitting for you and I mean a good fitting. If they don't go to your local shop.... Thats what I had to do[...]