Surly LHT vs Trek 520
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Surly LHT vs Trek 520
If one was to choose between the Surly LHT or Trek 520 for a long 2 to 3 month tour what would be the better out of the two bikes?
thank you
Eragon
thank you
Eragon
Last edited by eragon; 06-04-12 at 06:33 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Minnesota
Posts: 321
Bikes: 1985 Trek 720, 2010 CAAD9-6, mid-90s Trek 750 hybrid (winter bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Where is the tour going to be?
Mainly paved roads or lots of dirt/gravel?
How heavy of a load?
Does your bike shop carry either in stock?
Mainly paved roads or lots of dirt/gravel?
How heavy of a load?
Does your bike shop carry either in stock?
#3
Used to be fast
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: So Cal
Posts: 580
Bikes: 85 Specialized Expedition, 07 Motobecane Immortal Spirit built up with Dura ace and Mavic Ksyriums, '85 Bianchi Track Bike, '90 Fisher Procaliber, '96 Landshark TwinDirt Shark Tandem, '88 Curtlo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The one which fits the best and needs the least amount of changes to make just right for its intended route and rider, ie gearing, seat, stem, etc. Color might even play into it for some people. Both are nice bikes.
#5
Banned
26" wheel if you go far off the beaten track.. stronger wheel . more available spare tires .
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,391
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
22 Posts
For what it is worth I am going "off-road" on my Surly Long Haul Trucker which is a 58 cm. Mind you I have fitted Schwalbe Marathon Mondial (28 x 1.75) but they still are not 26" off-road tyres by any means.
Getting back to the OP, when I purchased my Surly in 2009 I considered the Trek 520 but IIRC price and specification at the time swung me towards the Surly over the Trek.
Andrew
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 104
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 81 Times
in
64 Posts
I built up a 56cm 26" wheel LHT after owning a 56cm 700c version. 26" LHT handles similarly to Cross-Check but with much better rear load carrying capabilities.
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Overrated. I was looking at both (just the type of riding I do) and ended up with a Giant Seek with discs. They're much more finicky but you certainly get increased performance. Typically I'd go with what small shops know how to work on and would have replacement parts for.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,391
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
22 Posts
Regards
Andrew
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I would choose the frame with the geometry that suits you better. For my purposes, Surly frames all have top tubes that are too long and head tubes that are too short. The only way I could fit a LHT would be to buy a frame that is smaller than ideal and add a huge stack of spacers to the headtube, which I don't like. The Trek 520 is not quite so extreme.
Have you checked out the Soma Saga? It is close in price to the LHT for the frame and fork, with more reasonable geometry specs. If I were buying a new touring frame right now, that would be my first choice. However, if you prefer a more stretched out geometry and lower handlebars, the LHT might be ideal for you.
Aesthetics are another issue, but that is personal choice. I love the root beer color of the Trek 520, and the new green Soma Saga is really sharp. However, you might prefer the LHT color choices, which seem to change from year to year.
Have you checked out the Soma Saga? It is close in price to the LHT for the frame and fork, with more reasonable geometry specs. If I were buying a new touring frame right now, that would be my first choice. However, if you prefer a more stretched out geometry and lower handlebars, the LHT might be ideal for you.
Aesthetics are another issue, but that is personal choice. I love the root beer color of the Trek 520, and the new green Soma Saga is really sharp. However, you might prefer the LHT color choices, which seem to change from year to year.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 81 Times
in
64 Posts
I didn't particularly like the handling of the 700cLHT and the front toe overlap on the fender. It cruised like a bus just great and carried a rear bias load great but low speed handling felt awkward and it wasn't that easy to ride hands off. The 26"wheel LHT is more maneuverable with heavy loads for tight quarter handling than the 700LHT.
Last edited by LeeG; 06-06-12 at 07:47 AM.
#15
bicycle tourist
The bike I rode across Russia was a Trek 520. The one around Australia a Cannondale T1000. Both had 700c wheels. The Surly LHT is also a good touring bike.
Last edited by mev; 06-06-12 at 12:36 PM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,391
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
22 Posts
Sorry for my lack of clarity. The 26" wheel LHT has much better load carrying capabilities than the 700c Cross-Check. The 26" wheeled LHT handles more like a 700c Cross-Check than a 700c LHT but has the same heavy load carrying capability as the 700c LHT. I had a 700c LHT for a year before transfering it's parts over to a 26" wheel LHT frame.
I didn't particularly like the handling of the 700cLHT and the front toe overlap on the fender. It cruised like a bus just great and carried a rear bias load great but low speed handling felt awkward and it wasn't that easy to ride hands off. The 26"wheel LHT is more maneuverable with heavy loads for tight quarter handling than the 700LHT.
I didn't particularly like the handling of the 700cLHT and the front toe overlap on the fender. It cruised like a bus just great and carried a rear bias load great but low speed handling felt awkward and it wasn't that easy to ride hands off. The 26"wheel LHT is more maneuverable with heavy loads for tight quarter handling than the 700LHT.
Andrew
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 148
Bikes: Trek 520 2011
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Good choice. I just rode my 520 across the states and it rode great. Had some spoke problems but i should've got a new rear wheel. front wheel gave me no problems at all. not even a flat and I carry front panniers and handlebar bag. I plan on upgrading my 520 with a nice bulletproof wheel set, and XT hubs. Oh and a Brooks! I rode all the way across on the stock saddle with no problems though.
#19
Banned
thought they expanded the LHT 26" line to all sizes.. Stil can co thru Co Motion
their singles are not Imported, so you can get stuff added before it's painted.
their singles are not Imported, so you can get stuff added before it's painted.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ColonelSanders
Commuting
65
10-21-15 11:19 AM
ColonelSanders
Hybrid Bicycles
12
10-19-15 10:06 PM