Go from Surly LHT to Space Horse - Has anyone here done it?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Go from Surly LHT to Space Horse - Has anyone here done it?
I'm looking to replace my LHT with a better all around bike. The Space Horse seems like it might be a nice, lighter weight version of the Trucker. A bit more responsive, a bit less "truck-like", more fun to ride unloaded, etc. I want to use this bike for all my riding, which is typically 30 - 50 mile rides, and I hope to do some centuries and a 200k by the end of summer. I've thought of getting a lighter wheelset and lighter, smaller tires for my LHT, but that's a pretty good chunk of change for me. Then again, so is a new frameset! A HA HA HA!!! Maybe I just want a new bike! No, that's probably not it...
Just looking to see if anyone has gone this route and what their impressions are.
Just looking to see if anyone has gone this route and what their impressions are.
#2
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,003
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Liked 3,681 Times
in
1,685 Posts
I have a space horse. I worked in a shop that sold the trucker. I have moved the trucker around the shop and ridden it in the parking lot a bit. My take is that the all city is lighter and more responsive but it is more of a touring bike than most folks give it credit for. I am 200 lbs minimum and the space trucker takes my weight and a good 40 lbs of baggage without noticing at all. it also is very pretty.....
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 540
Bikes: Novarra Randonee 2016, Trek Verve 2 2015
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
The LHT has a triple chainring while the Space Horse has a double. A dealbreaker in my book...
If you want the brifters, try a Bianchi Volpe. Triple in the front, brifters and more 'responsive' than my Randonee (which is closer to the LHT)
If you want the brifters, try a Bianchi Volpe. Triple in the front, brifters and more 'responsive' than my Randonee (which is closer to the LHT)
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 86
Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly Pugsley, Surly Big Dummy
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Unfortunately I can't answer the question, but I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I've been riding a Long Haul Trucker for a year, and just sold the frameset so I can buy a Space Horse frameset. The LHT was just too heavy and overbuilt for daily commuting, which is my primary use for the bike. I think the Space Horse will be much more fun as an every day rider based on what I've read. Are you going for the disc or rim brake model? I'm planning to pick up a rim brake frame because that's what I have the parts for.
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
I should have state that I'm buying a frameset and building it up myself. I have almost all the components already from other bikes.
#8
Full Member
Thread Starter
Unfortunately I can't answer the question, but I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I've been riding a Long Haul Trucker for a year, and just sold the frameset so I can buy a Space Horse frameset. The LHT was just too heavy and overbuilt for daily commuting, which is my primary use for the bike. I think the Space Horse will be much more fun as an every day rider based on what I've read. Are you going for the disc or rim brake model? I'm planning to pick up a rim brake frame because that's what I have the parts for.
If I went with something with discs, I would go with a carbon frame with thru axles front and rear. I still might do this. I'm considering the space horse with rim brakes or a modern gravel type carbon framed bike. I don't like the in-between bikes like my Surly. Some of the carbon gravel bikes have perfect geometry for what I'm desiring, almost exactly like the space horse. As far as I can see, a lot of gravel bikes have classic sport touring geometry along with the ability to put pretty fat tires on them, unlike sport tourers back in the day. However, so far the carbon framed gravel bikes for the most part do not have the ability to install racks, so you kind of have to decide whether you want to go bike packing or more traditional touring.
Of course, if I buy a carbon gravel bike, you know in a couple of years everyone will start making them to take racks front and rear, and then I'll be really pissed off. So maybe I should just get the space horse and be the retro grouch that I am.
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Vegemite Island
Posts: 4,130
Bikes: 2017 Surly Troll with XT Drive Train, 2017 Merida Big Nine XT Edition, 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR 2, 1995 Trek 830
Liked 312 Times
in
220 Posts
Unfortunately I can't answer the question, but I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I've been riding a Long Haul Trucker for a year, and just sold the frameset so I can buy a Space Horse frameset. The LHT was just too heavy and overbuilt for daily commuting, which is my primary use for the bike. I think the Space Horse will be much more fun as an every day rider based on what I've read. Are you going for the disc or rim brake model? I'm planning to pick up a rim brake frame because that's what I have the parts for.
The LHT frame is 2.27kgs, which isn't much heavier than many other steel framed bikes that are within a similar price point.
Are you sure it was the frame that was the problem and not a heavy wheelset and tyres combo?
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 86
Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly Pugsley, Surly Big Dummy
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm someone considering building up a LHT frame, so I am keen to hear more about how being too heavy and overbuilt manifested itself when you were riding it.
The LHT frame is 2.27kgs, which isn't much heavier than many other steel framed bikes that are within a similar price point.
Are you sure it was the frame that was the problem and not a heavy wheelset and tyres combo?
The LHT frame is 2.27kgs, which isn't much heavier than many other steel framed bikes that are within a similar price point.
Are you sure it was the frame that was the problem and not a heavy wheelset and tyres combo?
#11
afraid of whales
I've had my fill of over-built QBP frames, they're made to avoid warranty events without any concern for ride quality. I just built up a Soma Fog Cutter, couldn't be happier. Same ride quality as my 1978 531 frame (same weight too) and disc brakes ('cause I wanted a disc brake road bike). If you don't want disc brakes, check out the Soma ES, it's the same as the Fog Cutter ride-wise but only takes 32mm tyres, Fog Cutter takes 38mm tyres.
#12
Banned
N+1, then you have 2 bikes. Like having more than 1 pair of shoes.. they each have purposes.
LHT is made to haul a touring (or Grocery shopping) Load in 4 panniers. they do that well.
LHT is made to haul a touring (or Grocery shopping) Load in 4 panniers. they do that well.
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-06-17 at 01:07 PM.
#13
Full Member
Thread Starter
Unfortunately I can't answer the question, but I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I've been riding a Long Haul Trucker for a year, and just sold the frameset so I can buy a Space Horse frameset. The LHT was just too heavy and overbuilt for daily commuting, which is my primary use for the bike. I think the Space Horse will be much more fun as an every day rider based on what I've read. Are you going for the disc or rim brake model? I'm planning to pick up a rim brake frame because that's what I have the parts for.
I'm going for the rim brake frame. I don't have any rim brakes, but I'm trying to get that feeling and response back that I knew back in the day from riding traditional steel frames. The Surly doesn't have it. I'm sure part of it is the heavy tubeset, but I think a significant part is how beefed up the fork has to be to handle the disc brakes. Just my armchair analysis, deduction, guesswork, etc. Anyway, if I get the space horse, I'm going for the rim brake frame and building up my own wheels. If all that doesn't work, then I'll know for sure that I'm just a sucky rider who can't tell crap from good. Got no good grammar, neither.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 86
Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly Pugsley, Surly Big Dummy
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just realized I never answered your question.
I'm going for the rim brake frame. I don't have any rim brakes, but I'm trying to get that feeling and response back that I knew back in the day from riding traditional steel frames. The Surly doesn't have it. I'm sure part of it is the heavy tubeset, but I think a significant part is how beefed up the fork has to be to handle the disc brakes. Just my armchair analysis, deduction, guesswork, etc. Anyway, if I get the space horse, I'm going for the rim brake frame and building up my own wheels. If all that doesn't work, then I'll know for sure that I'm just a sucky rider who can't tell crap from good. Got no good grammar, neither.
I'm going for the rim brake frame. I don't have any rim brakes, but I'm trying to get that feeling and response back that I knew back in the day from riding traditional steel frames. The Surly doesn't have it. I'm sure part of it is the heavy tubeset, but I think a significant part is how beefed up the fork has to be to handle the disc brakes. Just my armchair analysis, deduction, guesswork, etc. Anyway, if I get the space horse, I'm going for the rim brake frame and building up my own wheels. If all that doesn't work, then I'll know for sure that I'm just a sucky rider who can't tell crap from good. Got no good grammar, neither.
Should be here this week. Hopefully I'll have time next weekend to build it up.
#15
Full Member
Thread Starter
I've had my fill of over-built QBP frames, they're made to avoid warranty events without any concern for ride quality. I just built up a Soma Fog Cutter, couldn't be happier. Same ride quality as my 1978 531 frame (same weight too) and disc brakes ('cause I wanted a disc brake road bike). If you don't want disc brakes, check out the Soma ES, it's the same as the Fog Cutter ride-wise but only takes 32mm tyres, Fog Cutter takes 38mm tyres.
I looked into the fog cutter. Same geometry as my LHT. Short stack and long reach. I'd like to have my bars up without needing at least 40mm - 50mm of spacers on the head tube, and I'm not even talking level with my seat. Just higher than your typical road racing position.
I thought Soma was part of QBP. I guess not.
#16
afraid of whales
When I was younger I ran a 120mm stem. Now, three decades later, on the same frame I run a 70mm stem and it's jacked up an extra 30mm. There's a reason why Nitto sells a 1" steerer stem with 220mm of extension. All us old farts wanna ride our vintage steel frames but our beer belly is getting in the way
How much does a 61cm Space Horse weight? I get the idea it's at least 5lbs. Fog Cutter and ES 61cm weighs 4.25lbs, that means the tubing is thinner iff the SH is 5lbs. Interesting and fun fact, my 1978 Austro-Daimler, full 531 tubing, 64cm, (approx same stack/reach as a 61cm Soma) weighs....4.25lbs. Fog Cutter's Carbon Fiber fork with fender eyelets is helpful with ride quality too.
Rumor is QBP and Soma steel frames are made by the same Taiwanese factory, no idea if it's true. Vaya and Saga are twins wrt geometry.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ColonelSanders
General Cycling Discussion
47
05-27-16 02:24 PM
sadbox
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
21
12-31-14 12:19 AM