seeker333

They're the same diameter, ~66cm.

However, the 26x2.0 tire is considerably heavier than a 700x25, about 600-900g vs 220-330g. You can really feel the extra >300g when pedaling, especially as distance increases.

Igo

These bikes are as different as night and day so this tells me you don't have a clue what you want. Probably should rethink the question.

Igo

This (see my signature) then the LHT would round out my stable.

usndoc2011

I have a Salsa Vaya, I built it up with ultregra (mostly) parts and BB7 brakes. I love it! It's a high quality, lightweight frame with beautiful construction. Standard discs are sweet with plenty of braze-ons for fenders and racks. It's a bit more, but totally worth it.

My vote goes for Salsa, easy.

rschreck

So you're saying I should compare the LHT to what? And the Fargo to what? Learn me.

cooker

FYI for those wanting to compare for themselves. Looks like the Salsa is essentially a mountain bike with road bars, and the LHT is a rugged road bike.
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo_3/



https://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker/

cooker

No, it makes sense. Basically he's comparing an off-road bike you can ride on the road, with a road bike you can ride off road.

Bethany

I've ridden both and each one rides completely different. I bought my Fargo because of the off road capabilities since I ride in rural areas. Plus I loved the Woodchipper bars and the disc brakes. I don't remember if the LHT has the Woodchipper bars or not. Doesn't look like it from the pictures.

My next favorite was the Cross Check as it was much lighter and more agile but I wanted the disc brakes. I haven't tried the Vaya. Salsa makes the Chile Con Crosso as well, but I haven't ridden that either.

Surly/Salsa make great bikes and their versatility can't be beat which is why they are gaining in popularity. If you want a mountain bike that rides both on road/off road, it's the Fargo. If you want a road bike that can go off road, buy the LHT. I think the Fargo can fit up to 2.3 inch? tires which gives you lots of options. I don't know about the LHT. Since it's a road bike, your tire choices may be limited. Not a deal breaker, but it's something else to think about.

NCbiker

This is the bottom line. Base your decision on where you think you will spend more time, road or off road.

Igo

One is a road bike and one is a dirt bike.

sirtirithon

Ok, time to fight for the Fargo. It really is a do anything bike, much more so than the LHT. You have the power of disc brakes, the smooth rolling 29er wheelset, the brilliant frame design with ample stand over room, the awesome and versatile woodchipper bars, the Fargo fork with all of the braze ons, and the rest of the frame has a ton of braze ons for easy fender and rack mounting. I have run Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on my Fargo for fast road travel, as well as Race King 2.2 knobbies and WTB Nano's. I find I prefer the knobbies simply because I do a lot of single track on my way to work for fun. I have run full fenders, racks, you name it at one time or another on my Fargo. It's just a sweet design for a bike, it's truly the jack of all trades. I'd say the Surly Ogre is the closest comparison but it doesn't have the sweet woodchipper bars. If you have the slightest thought that you might want to do some off road exploring or bikepacking, or just want a bike that will roll right over pot holes I highly recommend the Fargo. I have mine setup with a Revelate Designs Frame pack and seat bag and a Salsa Anything cage on my front fork. Between all of these I can haul just about anything gear wise to work and back without a rack needed or backpack. Good luck!

AdamDZ

I have the Disc Trucker. I only owned it for a few months. I did some weekend rides and commuted on it. I like it a lot. But I built it up with flat bars. It's very, very, very comfortable and can carry lots of stuff but it's not a fast bike and it's not nimble. It's surely faster than my MTB commuter but can't even remotely compare to a road bike. There is no real acceleration to speak of, it is a truck. I run it with slick 32 tires so I am not going to try any serious off-roading but it handles gravel just fine.

But it's an old school frame with minimal standover.

modernjess

I own that bike. It's my cross check.

con

The Salsa works for me as an all around bike. It is not a mountain bike with drop bars. As a complete factory build it comes stock with road gearing and of course 700c wheels.

I use mine for about everything other than my serious road rides/workouts. I just added a mountain crank and front derailleur so I could have a bit easier time climbing the steep stuff off road.

Reality is, if you are really struggling with your decision then odds are either bike would most likely work for you.

Mine today after a hard off road ride and then getting cleaned up

bragi

I've never even seen the Fargo, but I have the LHT and ride it every day. I love it, but based on the criteria you've listed, maybe it's not quite what you want. You can beat the cr*p out of it, ride it on some dirt, ride it with a rack and fenders, and of course haul stuff with it, but with the long cranks and low bottom bracket you're better off not attempting stairs, and it's not even close to being a speedy bike. (I can do maybe 25-26 mph if I feel like trying to pop my aorta, but not for an extended period of time. My usual flat-ground speed with no headwind is a much more modest 15-16 mph.)

LeeG

Your description is more Cross-Check/Vaya etc. than LHT or Fargo given the preference for fast road riding over loaded touring or off-road riding. The CC can take fat tires and the geometry is well suited for road riding. Anything that requires tires larger than 47mm or better off roading than the CC or similar bike will take you further from a fast road bike.

AlmostGreenGuy

By the description of what you need, I really don't see you being happy with either the LHT or the Fargo. Neither will ever be even close to "a fast bike when I need it to be".

For mainly road riding, with some gravel grinding and light single track, take a closer look at the Surly Cross Check and Salsa Vaya. The main difference between them is that the Cross Check has a more aggressive road riding position, while the Vaya is a bit more laid back. Both bikes will handle the 50-mile ride and the trailer use, but the Vaya will probably be more comfortable on the ride across the US. For snow riding, I'd personally prefer the more laid back ride of the Vaya. For the speeding across town, the Cross Check gets the nod.

My Vaya3

LeeG

Only problem there is that the 700cLHT is more of a truck for carrying loads in a straight line than a "road bike" for nimble unloaded fast riding which appears to be the dominant use for the op. The 700LHT fits in the general category of bike for riding on roads but it's about as far from a road bike as a shocked hard tail is from a cross bike.

tarwheel 

Salsa Vaya seems like a better choice than either the Fargo or LHT, based on your stated desires. It all seems to boil down to whether you want a road bike or a mountain bike. The Vaya is sort of in-between.

rschreck

This photo just made me want a Vaya. Which I will adorn with a beautiful Brooks just like yours.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice everyone. From reading everything, the Vaya looks like the best choice for what I will need. I was always leaning towards the Fargo, but the Vaya seems more logical.

rschreck

"Ok. Time to fight for the Fargo.". I LOVE this!

lungimsam

May I suggest a Rivendell Atlantis or A. Homer Hilsen, or Sam Hillborne?