sloar 

But, I need to change a few things. Bought it this morning off a bike mechanic. He told me he bought the frameset and built it up and never rode it. It shows, looks brand new. Definitely want to go back to a triple and barend shifters. After that a new Brooks B17 should finish it for now.

indyfabz

Step 1: Change that bar tape and those cages.

sloar 

Definitely!

sloar 

Went for a short ride, it’s definitely a slow bike especially since I just got off my Emonda. But it’s very comfortable and fun to ride.
I spent a little time making a few adjustments but so far I really like it.

Steve B.

What’s the shifting system ??

Maybe don’t swap to a triple, leave it as a double with a wide range cassette. I’ve a gravel bike, C-Dale Topstone, has a 46/30 crank and a 11-34 11 spd. cassette. It has the same range as the triple on my 9 spd. tourer, maybe 2 or 3 fewer gears overall.

sloar 

50/34 11/34 10 speed.

katsup

I actually like the blue and green together.

Congrats on the bike.

saddlesores

you got that right, bub!

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....tioWL._AC_.jpg

Steve B.

Assuming a goal is lower gearing for loaded touring....

Seems a shame to ditch the existing shifters as they are set to go for the brakes as well as a double ring. Thus my thought about keeping that, but you'd have to do a gear chart to figure what will work. I really like the lower range a 46/30 crank gives you. The lowest range Shimano cassette is a 11-36 (from a quick look), and that gives you a 21.5" gear for a low. Not terrible and only has you swapping to a new crank and b-bracket, maybe a F derailleur, plus cassette - IF the R derailleur has the capacity.

seeker333

I'd mostly leave it as is and put my effort into riding/training with it.

OP lives in Indiana, may want/need decent full fenders. I've had these VO fenders on my 26" bike for about a decade/35,000 miles, they are still in good shape, highly recommended.

For racks and fenders I recommend Tubus and Ortlieb. Tubus Cargo and Tara racks fit Truckers very well.

dreamy

Nah, I'd rather repaint the frame to match the bartape

sloar 

Little better now, waiting on my Tubus rack and bag then I’ll be set for awhile.

djb

thankyou for the morning chuckle, was not expecting that.

djb

certainly an option.
re the rd. I can't see what it is, but if its a deore 10 spd, I know they can handle a 36t because my wifes troll is 10 spd and deore rd and a 11-36.

sloar, one thing that will change how the bike rides is to change out the tires if you are nearly always riding on pavement and reasonable dirt roads. A lighter set of 1.5in tires will make the bike ride quicker, and is always a plus.

as said about the gearing, you're going to have to play around with actual costs, and if you are lucky, a smaller crankset could possibly go on and you'd still be able to use the fd as is.
I'd look into used triple cranks too though if you ever actually start carrying touring load. Microshift makes bar end shifters at a reasonable price also---but again, you're going to have to start making some lists of parts and costs to get a better idea of what your budget is, if and when you decide to do some loaded touring.

sloar 

For now what I have is fine for the type of riding I’ll be doing. But for next spring it will be set up with Microshift barends and a Triple. The derailleurs are Tiagra 10 speeds. What tires would you recommend?

djb

re tires, again budget plays a part. I'm a big fan of 26in Supremes as they are a really nice rolling tire, they come in 1.6 , but are pricey. Regular marathon greenguard or whatever is a nice price point/quality option, but really, take some time and look at the Schwalbe site and compare various tire weights, rolling resistance rating and of course prices.
Prices can be all over the map, here in Canada because of covid supply chain issues, tires are pretty darn expensive now, but in any case, Ive found 1.5in to be a good compromise of speed and still wide enough to be very competent on all kinds of rough or loose surfaces.
Obviously you're aware that you will never get this bike to be like your road bike, but a lighter 1.5 tire can feel not too shabby in rolling along well. Keep an eye on tire weights, for instance a Marathon Plus will weigh a hell of a lot more than lighter models like a Supreme or whatever. I personally dont think you want more than 1.5in 38mm , but again, prices vary a lot and whats available is a factor also.
No matter, a tire that is lighter than those ET's will be a certain amount faster and make the bike feel and go a bit faster

check out the tiagras rd max teeth rating, it could very well be at the max now, and not be able to do 36.

LeeG

echoing djb’s input. I’m 220lbs riding a 56 cm 26” LHT. I have a 1.6” Marathon Supreme on the rear and 1.75” Panaracer T-Serv on the front. Those Surly Extraterrestrials are heavy which is perfectly ok for heavy loads far from home but lighter tires sure are nice on pavement. For light tires they’re quite puncture resistant. Never got a flat.

mstateglfr 

Those tires are 60tpi and weigh 890g each.
Almost anything will weigh less and feel more lively.

A Panaracer Pasela PT 26x1.75" in folding bead is 460g.
You would have a wider tire for more comfort, a protection layer for flats, and save 1.9 pounds.

Or a rene herse Naches pass 26x1.8" tire in the standard casing weighs 350g. So that would save you 2.4#.


Thats crazy- drop 1.9-2.4# off a bike with just a change of tires and you get wider better rolling tires too.
Itll definitely make for a more fun riding bike!

sloar 

I tried the Kenda Kwest HP and hated them. I just ordered the Paselas, thanks.

LeeG

You will be pleased with them. I did not find a practical speed or rolling difference between 1.5” and 1.75”. If I weighed 50lbs less I could see the narrower tires being worthwhile but at my weight and loads the bigger tire was more comfortable. I found that the type of tire made a bigger difference than just dimensions.

sloar 

Haven’t had a chance to try them out yet, but I like how they look.

saddlesores

optical delusion? saddle nose looks to be pointed up too high for comfort, esp with drops.

sloar 

it’s comfortable for me.

Bunks-TJ

nice grab. can you see the envy in my text ?

LeeG

Looks great. I had a 56 cm 700 c LHT and now a 56cm 26” LHT. The 26” wheel version is like a nimble independent suspension F250 pickup. I’ve never had a decent handling touring bike which carried heavy loads as well.