Surly LHT or Masi Special Giromondo
 

I’m going to make my own decision after I ride the Masi a few times, I just picked it up today. But if you had to decide between the two and it be your only bike which on would you choose.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3c6163e3a.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6468d757c.jpeg

Insufficient information, like gearing and components.

The components are in the pictures.

Both are valid bikes. I would say the biggest factor is comfort and fit

I clicked on the pictures and didn't see a list of components. If you are asking us to figure out all the components you are using from just a single non-high res picture of each bike while also asking us to help you then maybe you need to rethink things a little.

If I am choosing between purely those two bikes and nothing else and was just kinda guessing I would probably say the LHT but only because it is set up and I can see at least an XT rear derailleur and I do like Surly.

However if I was choosing from other stuff I (as you) would probably look at something different like say a nice Co-Motion frame and build it out exactly how I want it with the parts I want since I clearly know I like touring bikes and have some semblance of how I would build it. In my actual case I know exactly how I would build my next touring bike and have a parts list for it already (because I enjoy doing that and it helps me plan it and be able to change things easily and also not forget any parts or at least not most major parts.)

Though my current Co-Motion Cascadia is an excellent bike and set up pretty near perfectly as a classic touring bike 3x9 XT/Ultegra drivetrain with Gevenalle shifters (using Dura Ace DT shifters) and a Sugino triple crank (XD-600 I think) mated to an SKF BB, TRP Spyre disc brakes, SON dynamo with B+M IQ-X and Toplight Line Brake Plus lights and Tubus racks with Zipp Service Course SL-70 Ergo bars in 44cm with a Thompson seat post and Brooks Cambium C17 saddle...however using that info I can compare my current bike more easily with another bike with that info which is the point I would make and I have a feeling potentially indyfabz might have been making.

When you want help you should always do your absolute best to give them as much info as you can so they can help you make an informed decision. Plus places like PedalRoom allow you to post your bike and the specs so others can see it and go "cool bike" or something analogous to that. I use PedalRoom and it is great, you can see all sorts of neat bikes. Here are some of mine: https://www.pedalroom.com/members/Veganbikes (I need to get better pictures of all of them)

Sorry, but me eyes can’t, for instance, count the number of teeth on those chainrings, which would be a very important factor for me.

‘Xactly.

More broadly, I have trouble with the exercise. For example, I want drop bars, so I would immediately rule out the LHT. But maybe you like the LHT’s bars, making my opinion on that aspect irrelevant.

I don’t want help, like I said I will make my own decision after I ride the Masi a few times. I thought it would be fun to see what other people would choose, it wasn’t a life or death question and I wasn’t going to hold anyone accountable for there decision.

Surly Long Haul Trucker because this is a pointless thread.

If you don't want help, then why post?

For me, the Surly since it seems to better fit my needs, based on what I know about the Surly since I own one.

Surly, assuming for pavement.

rack&fenders, thumb-shifters, 36-spoke wheels, brooks saddle.
classic horizontal top tube.

would need upgrade to v-brakes and clips&straps.

Phew!

Surely I LOVE my Surly.

The Surly looks like a small 52 cm, grim brakes and way too gangly cockpit. Big NOPE.
Masi looks like a 56 cm, disc brakes and longer wheelbase/ less toe overlap.

Surly is a 56cm with Jones bars and the Masi is a 57cm. The Surlys brakes with Kool Stop pads work better than the disc brakes on the Masi. I am in the process of changing the brake cables on the Masi to compressionless housings. But I’m keeping my gangly Surly. I’m really surprised of all the negative comments to a post that was just for fun. Certainly no more pointless than three pages of carrying a lock or not. If I read a post that I don’t like I just don’t respond.

I don't get these threads then. It is like people just want to post up a flyer on a telephone pole and walk away and are offended if people call the number at the bottom. Nobody here is assuming life or death, not over a bicycle that is for sure and no accountability needed but talk about the bikes be excited. This is a bike forum talk about bikes be open about it. I love talking about bikes that is why I am here if I am going to pose a question and someone says hey maybe more info would be nice I would try to provide that instead of closing off. We don't want Mother's maiden name and last of the S.S. number and credit card we want to talk bikes.

Echo chambers are fun but this is a bike forum I like to hear more than someone's echo. Talk about bikes lets get some excitement for them because they are fun to talk about.

Point taken. The Surly is a 2009 56cm is basically stock with Shimano XT. I put the Jones bars on and used friction thumb shifters. I really like the setup and was really surprised how much I like the bars. The Masi is a 2017 with Shimano Deore and Promax brakes. It’s a nice looking bike but feels really cheap. If I kept the Masi the brakes and wheels would definitely need to be change. Since I retired from the fire dept last month I’ve went down to one bike. I tour a few times a year, but ride everyday. I thought the Masi would be a better bike for me.

Yeah unfortunately a lot of modern touring bikes from "bigger" manufacturers kind of suck. It is sort of a we have made one for ever we might as well keep making it and just put cheaper parts on it until we finally get rid of it.

I would rather just say OK this is what I like about my current bike and go with something custom and have the bike of my dreams though again if only the two Surly would win on my front but then again I did have a Disc Trucker and loved it so I am slightly biased. But then again I do love Breaking Away but I haven't owned a Masi.

Ever the contrarian, I'll say the Masi. I have no idea who owns the company now a days, but they used to produce such wonderful old world steel frames and several years ago I almost pulled the trigger on one of their cyclocross frames to build up. It seems they have become less relevant over the years. I've owned a Surly 56cm LHT and it's a wonderful expedition touring and commuting bike but for all around riding, it is not very exciting to ride, much like driving a bus. But aesthetically, that particular colored Masi with that straight pipe fork....yuk

Don't call me Shirley.

The tone of many of the responses to this thread sure don't seem very inviting to others considering joining in the forum. Why not just consider both bikes equally kitted out for his needs in terms of components other than the easily seen and obvious differences and state that when chiming in. Just my two cents.

Not here to hate; I think the issue with this thread is OP posted two very different bikes and asked BF which one they would pick if they had to whittle it down to one, with no additional context in the initial post.

They're both fine bikes, and while visually distinct, both should be fine for daily riding and the occasional tour.

I'm not a fan of how Surly bikes look but I think the Surly would be the more functional one here given it's already set up for purpose while the Marin appears bone stock.

Personally, I knda dig the MASI because it is rather unique. Of course as several have pointed out - fit is the utmost concern. As far as components go, you'll burn through whatever you've got and replace with new in a couple of years anyway. Surlys are a dime-a-dozen, however the ones with rim brakes are no longer made... I don't like the MASI fork (as mentioned) but the disc brakes are compelling. Plus, the MASI leans toward that new fangled thing peeps is talkin' bout; gravel. I'm curious about your thoughts too.

Have you ridden the Masi a few times? Super curious to hear if, after many years and a couple dozen touring bikes that have all been declared 'the one', it will actually legitimately be the one.
My guess?- neither is 'the one' and you will continue the search indefinitely.


As for which would I choose? Between those two- the Masi. I have no idea what the gearing or components are for either since you wont tell us and the pictures dont show, so I guess all that can be set aside when considering things.
I would go with drop bars and the Microshift bar end shifters instead of that Jones bar or whatever it is on the Surly.

I did mention that it had Shimano Deore. It’s a pretty good rider, buti keep going back to the LHT, which I’m keeping.I’ve always ridden drop bars, but the Jones bars are very comfortable.