Surly Long Haul Trucker update
The LHT has been in service now for three years so an update is due. Where does time go!?
The LHT has been performing very well and very reliably as a commuter. I'm still riding it to work up to three times a week and enjoy every ride. I wish I had time to take it on longer rides.
The big news is that the LHT now has a disc front brake. Surly started selling the Disc Trucker a while ago and decided to also sell the disc fork. As I've mentioned in previous posts the braking is the one thing that lets the LHT down so, being a mountain biker who appreciates disc brake stopping power, I jumped at the chance to install a real brake up front. This is not a minor modification. I not only needed the fork but also a new front hub, the disc and caliper (Avid BB7 Road), new spokes, new cabling and other minor bits and pieces. To save costs I used the same rim but I more than offset that by including a Chris King headset in the upgrade. The result has been magnificent.
BMCR did all the hard work for me. The only issue has been the mudguard mounts. For whatever reason Surly have designed this fork so you can't mount normal SKS guards to the fork when using disc brakes. Pete made a clever mod and mounted the left guard stay on one of the brake caliper bolts but it still had to be bent around the caliper body. Once the caliper body was properly aligned and the pads adjusted the braking has been outstanding. Now I hardly use the rear brake but I have to be careful. The braking modulation is so good that I've found myself still using the front brake well into wet Norton Summit hairpins going down the hill on the way to work. It is a good thing that I'm running 35mm tyres that grip well in the wet!
The moral of the story? If you are going to buy a Long Haul Trucker buy the Disc Trucker.
From now on I'm only going to buy bikes with disc brakes.
-
Comment by Gus K on June 3, 2012 at 23:46 -
The only problem I can see is that now you don't have an excuse to shop for a new bike for another three years.
I know the topping power of discs and I rhinkid be scared to use them on the front descending.
How's the Brooks Saddle after 3 years?
-
Comment by Luke on June 4, 2012 at 8:35 -
The modulation available on disc brakes makes them very controllable. 70% of your braking is through the front wheel, you just have to wait for the weight to transfer to the front wheel before getting on them hard. Squeeze, don't grab.
The Brooks was replaced with a Selle An-Anatomica. The Brooks was good but doesn't come close to the Selle An-Anatomica for instant and long lasting comfort. It is a great saddle.
-
Comment by Charles on June 7, 2012 at 23:30 -
Hmm, I have a Kona Sutra with Disc Brakes and would not use any other type, especially when decending at 70 fully loaded. I am not particulary affected by saddles, be it touring, road bike or communter, but I do like my Brooks on the Kona
-
Comment by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on June 11, 2012 at 10:33 -
All the people I know that I have talked to about disk brakes seem happy with them.
None would go back by choice.
Add a Comment
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
You need to be a member of Adelaide Cyclists to add comments!
Join Adelaide Cyclists