Thursday, February 16, 2012

7,000 Mile Report

Just turned the 7,000 mile mark on the Surly Long Haul Trucker.  It has taken 2 1/2 years to get there... but it is still going great and it seems like a new bike with each ride.

It started as a stock LHT.  Then the additions of:
- Brooks Flyer saddle
- Planet Bike Fenders
- Axiom rear rack
- Axiom lower rider rack
- Front Rack
- Acorn tool bag
- Acorn front bag
- Stem Captain Temp gauge
- Rear Kick Stand
- Axiom Seymour Panniers
- Ortlieb Classic Panniers
- CatEye computer
- Compound brakes
- and other stuff... pumps, lights
- I use Caffe Latex in the tubes - no flats


It has carried a lot of gear (and me) and that may account for the fact that I have worn out:
- two sets of Continental Contact Tires 32s
- one set of Marathon Plus 32s
- and now on Continental Touring Tires 37
- three chains
- one cassette

A Great Bike for Touring !

(Primary use - Commuting, Errands, and Touring)

2 comments:

  1. "...still going great, and it feels like a new bike every time I ride it."

    Exactly the way it feels every time I have the pleasure of riding my 2010 700c LHT (mostly stock). It's just such a smooth and easy riding bike, loaded or not -- like no other I've ever owned (truth be told, all my other bikes are near vintage). Like you, I added the Brooks seat (Like, but don't love it) and planet bike fenders (I don't really worry about the weather). Ortleib Panniers, too, but I've got them on a rear Jannd Expedition rack (nice and long). Still on my first set of conti's, but only have about 1500 miles on the bike the first year. Your bike looks beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. ~ thanks for the comment!

      The Jannd Expedition rack is a nice choice. A longer rack would be great. With the Ortleib Panniers on the Axiom rack, I have to be a little careful not to hit my bike shoes on the panniers when I 'clip in' to the pedals. It took me a while to love the Brooks flyer, I guess that it really broke in during a tour across Eastern Colorado & Kansas in mostly rain.... The saddle was soaked much of the trip.... oh ,that is why I have fenders ! My old 1974 Motobecane no longer has fenders, I just pick and choose when to ride that one.

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