EKW in DC

Thanks! I hadn't even thought about that. Steel is real, but it's new to me, too. Current frame is aluminum.

I've ordered a can of Framesaver with the parts. And I'll have a few days between getting the frame and when I can make it to the co-op to work on the build, so I should be able to get a couple coats in there before the parts go on.

mrleft2000

The Trailway isn't that bad, at least for smaller guys. They at least come with 32 spoke wheels now. At 1200 miles, I haven't broken a spoke yet and while the wheels can use a little truing, they are still straight enough to not touch the v-brakes. I guess I'll see what kind of maintenance I encounter as I approach 2 or 3 times that number of miles.

What kind of speed difference did you notice switching to a solid fork?

EKW in DC

The Trailway could be way worse. I'll give it that. Apart from the wheels, the stock components have done OK for the most part. Very true about the smaller guy thing, though. The wheels didn't hold up at all to my weight. I'm glad they've gone to 32 spokes. The machine built 24 spoke wheels on mine weren't good for much, especially for a clyde like me. I'm 6'1", but my inseam (~30") and PBH (~33") are short, probably more like what you'd typically see on someone who's 5'8" or 5'9". Even at that, I have the seatpost all the way out to the minimum insertion point, and the seat still isn't quite high enough. I'm excited I'll finally have a properly sized frame in the LHT.

Besides the wheels, the thing that's given me fits most on the bike is the bottom bracket. It's in serious need of service. Sadly, it's stuck in the frame so badly that removing it could damage the threads, so since I knew the new bike was coming I've just been dealing with the little bit of play and the clicks and clanks that it likes to make these days. You might want to replace it completely if it starts to act up, less you be stuck with the same problem.

The rigid fork made a big difference when I made the conversion on my bike over the summer, though I'm not sure how reliably I can quantify it. Crusing on flat ground, I didn't notice a big difference forks, but if I get out of the saddle or am climbing, it's easy to feel that transmission of power is much more direct and efficient, i.e., the bike's not bobbing up and down. On a ride longer than my 15 mile round-trip commute, I'm sure that could easily convert to a lot less wasted energy and a higher average speed. I know there are some older threads around here on fork conversions where I'm sure people quantified the speed difference more scientifically than I have here.

jimcross

Congrats. You're going to love it. I just refitted my LHT with trekking bars and am as happy with it as I have ever been. I'm using road levers mounted up front though (like mustache bars). I also went with a much larger tire this time. I had some old Specialized 38s that I put on it and just purchased a set of 40mm Marathons. I suspect I'm going to need new fenders. Here's a picture. Not a great one, but good enough.

Your build specs sound great. Enjoy!

Brian Whitten

I actually ended up getting a cross check in black 56cm! I am using a Nexus 8 rear hub and the vertical drop outs on the LHT don't allow for proper chain tensioning. I will post a pic once it is complete!

EKW in DC

Nice looking rig, jim! Took off the decals, I see? I've had the trekking bars on my hybrid for a good seven or eight months now. Since I already had MTB style shifters on the hybrid, I just stayed with those. I currently run Vittoria Randonneurs (32mm), but they're the narrowest tire I've ever run, and I might go back to 35s when this current set needs replacement. Shouldn't be a problem, though, of course, since "Fatties fit fine." I've got 45 mm fenders, so I probably won't ever go any bigger than a 35 or 37 mm tire.

Waiting for the phone to ring any day now... Plan at this point is to get the frame, Framesaver it a couple times, and then hopefully have enough time after work on Saturday or before the Super Bowl on Sunday (Steelers fan here so can't miss it) to go down to the co-op and build up the frame. I'll post pictures when he/she's done. (Waiting to finish the build and see how it looks before I assign a gender and a name to the new steed.)

@Brian Whitten: Cool deal. Sounds like a cool build. And I'm sure the Cross Check is a kick-a$$ bike, too. Would love to see your pics when it's built up.

Dylansbob 

I wish there were a Groupon like that here. I guess the bike shops don't need to attract more business...

+1 on the 7spd choice. The great thing about 7/8spd that alot of "cyclists" don't realize is that you can find chains at most department stores.

(Sorry, if I'm about to offend anyone, I've been lurking in some of the more elitist forums lately)

So many bicycle riders are hungup on having the chi-chi parts/bikes and latest/greatest. Alot of people can't imagine buying parts/supplies from somewhere other than a LBS/online bike shop. I've been running an $8 kmart chain on two of my bikes for a couple of years now. I buy a new one every spring. I've done the same with multi-tools, a new one every couple of years for under a tenner.

Thanks for letting me vent.

EKW in DC

Vent away!

Yeah, that Groupon was a real sweet deal. I'm glad that my wife spotted it and was OK with it being my Christmas gift. Guess I made her life easier that way!

I'm happy with my 7 speed setup. Might go up to 8 at some point, but that's the same beefy chain as the 7 speed, which I like.

LeeG

don't forget the essentials.

https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/...ff8c1683_z.jpg

EKW in DC

Nice bell. I like the brass! That bell would be swell on a tweed ride! I do have a now-beat-up black Incredibell that will also make the journey from my hybrid to the LHT build. Not quite as classy or classic as yours, though, especially since it's lost half its paint to weather, wear and tear.

LeeG

I just googled the image up, I've had the same bell on three bikes. It has a much longer bell ring than the Incredibell with a ring that lasts for seconds.

Brian Whitten

checking back in, here is a link to my facebook for a pic of my cross check, (and my new cannondale!) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...796352&theater 95% complete, different bars soon and those new brooks slim grips!

JoeyBike

My thousand words^^

sonnetg

Congrats. The LHTs are great bikes. Can be used for any purpose. Mine is all stock (except for the Schwalbe tires), and it's all quality.

Some pics of my LHT: https://picasaweb.google.com/sonnet....kes#slideshow/

Post some pics of your Surly when it's complete.

Cyclaholic

LHT rules!

vXhanz

Where did you get the camo bar tape from and those fenders as well? Are they camo too? I better stop looking at this thread, my LHT will get jealous of me checking out the other LHT bike porn.

ChrisO

Those look like Soma bars maybe. They sell the camo bar tape too-
https://somafab.com/tape_tnz_10.jpg

Oldsport

I hope it wasn't the Groupon for DC Bicycle Station. Easily the worst bike shop that I have ever been to.
My friend bought a Groupon for them. They didn't have any new bikes in stock. He was unable to test ride one. He had to look at their website to find a bike. They charge MSRP on all their bikes. After waiting for weeks to get the bike, he found that the bike shop had closed. The website said they would reopen in Alexandria. It has been over a month and they have not reopened.
For a good laugh read their mission statement https://dcbicyclestations.com/index.php/about-us.
The lady behind the counter didn't know anything about bikes. While I was waiting on my friend I went to ask the mechanics if they had a 9/16 washer for my peddle. After waiting several minuets while the mechanics gossiped amongst themselves I was able to their attention. Once I explained what I needed and why I needed it, they told me I need to buy "bigger peddles" from them. At that point I walked out of the store.

JoeyBike

Bar tape is Serfas. Hibiscus fenders are from Electra and fit PERFECTLY! I just tried to find a link at ElectraBikes but seems like they have been discontinued. I found some on Amazon for you for $40. If you are man enough that is =)

vXhanz

Thanks for the links! Hibiscus fenders... well... I think they would look great on my wife's bike, I'll pass for the moment since I already have fenders

EKW in DC

The very same. I can say from my dealings so far that I'm not entirely surprised by your friend's experience. I placed my order three weeks ago, and at that time was told it should take about a week for everything to come in. After some poking and prodding over the last few days, I have found out the parts I ordered for the build are already in and they're supposed to get the frame tomorrow (i.e., Monday). I'll keep my fingers crossed it's true. There are a number of quite negative experiences being reported on Yelp since the Groupon w/ similar (usually worse) experiences. The owner is the guy I've been dealing with and he's been accommodating enough through the whole process really.

I haven't been in to either their old DC location or the new one in Alexandria, which is supposed to have been open for a couple weeks now. It's been a little bit of a hassle, but for me so far, I can say it's been worth the $200 I've saved with the Groupon. If my frame is ready to be picked up w/ the components I ordered come Tuesday, I'll be satisfied enough. Your account of the general knowledge level and disposition of the staff is a bit worrisome, though... makes me glad I'll be doing the build myself w/ a help from the co-op.

EKW in DC

Reviving a dead thread, because it's my thread and I can, and because I finally actually have the frame in hand -- it's in a box actually, but it's here! -- and the build should be taking place this weekend. I'll spare you all the drawn out details of the order process, but suffice it to say it took a while. To the LBS's credit, I do think some of the problem was beyond their control, and they have generously thrown in a free Brooks B17 for my troubles. So, that's good.

The build as it has evolved is going to look as follows:

Surly LHT, 56 cm, 700c, black

Kalloy butterfly trekking bars (black)
FSA The Pig headset
Keeping my cheap adjustable stem until I get the fit figured out, then I'll get a better stem

Shimano 3x7 speed Alivio/Acera/Altus v-brake/shifter levers w/ trigger shifters
Brakes: Avid SD-7 v-brakes (graphite)

Brooks B17 saddle (black)
Origin 8 seatpost (black)

Rear wheel: Handspun 700c 36h Velocity Dyad/Deore LX hub/14 gauge straight spokes
Front wheel: Hoopster 36h hybrid wheel, used from co-op
700x32 Vittoria Randonneur tires

Bottom bracket: Shimano UN-54 68x113mm square taper
Crankset: Shimano STX RC 22-32-42 MTB crank
Front derailleur: Shimano FD-M591 Deore Traditional Dual Pull Multi Clamp Front Derailleur
Rear cassette: 14-32 7 speed w/ spacer for 8 speed hub
Rear derailleur: Shimano Alivio long-cage (black)

PB Cascadia 700c 45mm hybrid/touring fenders (black)
Topeak Explorer rear rack
Nashbar (Blackburn style) low-rider front rack

Think that about covers it. I'll be applying a coat or two of Framesaver in the next couple days before the build as well. I'll post some pictures after the build, if not before. So psyched!

waynesworld

Those fenders rock! I might get a set for my mountain bike. Should look good with my skull bell.

Oldsport

I am glad to hear you finally got your bike! Did the new shop finally open up?

Also, I am interested in the framsaver. How well does it work? I ride year round and get tons of salt and crap all over my bike. I would be interested in anything that would make it last longer.

EKW in DC

Thanks, oldsport. I have never used the stuff before, but it's cheaper than a new frame, so I figured I'd go ahead and use it. Better safe than sorry! First application will be tonight or tomorrow.

I'm hoping it works very well b/c I don't figure on having another bike in the stable for a while. I don't have to contend with too much salt on the roads around here (relatively speaking) but I do ride regardless of rain. There are lots of old threads here in various corners of BF about its efficacy and application.

Bike porn to come Sunday or Monday after the build. Some maiden voyage/commute shots will be in order.