surly/hewitt/other? - your experiences

[aek]

Yup,
I was looking at the Salsa Vaya option as well a while ago, but it just doesn't look right and i don't like sloping tube designs.
That's why i've been waiting for the Disc LHT.

By the way, Salsa, Surly and Civia are the same company, just different brands and different business units. They each address a particular market segment/personal preference.

[uphillbothways]

It's worth having a read of this article by Chris Juden on bikes for petite women. The details of specific models are well obsolete, but there's some very useful general information on fit and sizing.

To be honest, it's a minefield. The whole bike industry is utterly sexist and still operates on the belief that women don't buy quality bikes. A lot of respected and well-reviewed bikes are absolutely awful in smaller sizes, the geometry having been utterly mangled in order to fit in too-large wheels. 26" wheels help matters, but only to some extent. I won't name names, but take a look at the geometry data for a few bikes, comparing the seat angle and head tube angle across the size range.

[basket rider]

Ive had a 54cm LHT for just under 2 years now. Its been an absolute pleasure to ride whether its to the shops, the commute or fully loaded off for your holidays. I couldent recommend it more. Its so versatile. Id been using various bikes for the last few months and to get back on it the comfort and easy riding is instantly noticable. Also run wheels and various other parts from spa cycles and wouldent recommend going newhere else. im sure you wont be dissapointted with this bike.

[Ivor Tingting]

I've got a 56cm Surly LHT 700c custom built from frame up.
I've just done 126 miles on it this week-end (including the Palace to Palace event) and all i can say is, What a joy to ride this bike!
There's nothing to complain about with it except that i'm an adept of disc brakes and i look forward for early next year when Surly is releasing the Disc Trucker version of the famous LHT.
Here are some unofficial pictures of the Disc Trucker frameset:

http://www.ridebicycles.com/news/new-su ... las-vegas/

Once it's available, i will upgrade to it.

Anyway, back to the LHT, it's an amazing bike, the best bike i've ever ridden and the most comfortable one.

Looks promising. But will they offer horizontal dropouts as well so a Rohloff or Afline hub can be fitted without the need for a concentric BB or chain tensioner? Or ......... a break in the drive side seat stay so a belt drive transmission could be used?

Other bike touring/expedition makes of bike for the OP stumpy to consider are Santos and Koga Miyata, both Dutch iiac. Not sure if they do a disc braked version.

http://www.jdcycles.co.uk/products.php? ... ring_Bikes

http://www.koga.com/koga_uk/?linkServID ... 00000001#4

Also the Dawes Nomad but I don't tink this has disc brakes.

Then there is the interesting Milkbike RDA commuting/touring bike - steel frame, Alfine hub 8/11 speed, belt drive and disc brakes, flat, butterfly or drop handle bars whatever you fancy. 26" and 700c wheel compatible.

http://www.milkbikes.com/

[Malaconotus]

I've got a 56cm Surly LHT 700c custom built from frame up.
I've just done 126 miles on it this week-end (including the Palace to Palace event) and all i can say is, What a joy to ride this bike!
There's nothing to complain about with it except that i'm an adept of disc brakes and i look forward for early next year when Surly is releasing the Disc Trucker version of the famous LHT.
Here are some unofficial pictures of the Disc Trucker frameset:

http://www.ridebicycles.com/news/new-su ... las-vegas/

Once it's available, i will upgrade to it.

Anyway, back to the LHT, it's an amazing bike, the best bike i've ever ridden and the most comfortable one.

Looks promising. But will they offer horizontal dropouts as well so a Rohloff or Afline hub can be fitted without the need for a concentric BB or chain tensioner? Or ......... a break in the drive side seat stay so a belt drive transmission could be used?

I expect not, but this check out the new Ogre frame which will do all tricks... http://surlybikes.com/blog/post/new_pro ... mences_now

[Ivor Tingting]

I've got a 56cm Surly LHT 700c custom built from frame up.
I've just done 126 miles on it this week-end (including the Palace to Palace event) and all i can say is, What a joy to ride this bike!
There's nothing to complain about with it except that i'm an adept of disc brakes and i look forward for early next year when Surly is releasing the Disc Trucker version of the famous LHT.
Here are some unofficial pictures of the Disc Trucker frameset:

http://www.ridebicycles.com/news/new-su ... las-vegas/

Once it's available, i will upgrade to it.

Anyway, back to the LHT, it's an amazing bike, the best bike i've ever ridden and the most comfortable one.

Looks promising. But will they offer horizontal dropouts as well so a Rohloff or Afline hub can be fitted without the need for a concentric BB or chain tensioner? Or ......... a break in the drive side seat stay so a belt drive transmission could be used?

I expect not, but this check out the new Ogre frame which will do all tricks... http://surlybikes.com/blog/post/new_pro ... mences_now

Whoo hoo!!! First impressions, I don't like the dog leg/kinked seat tube of the Ogre - awful. Ruined it imho. But I concede it does have everyting although I am struggling to see the rear rack mounts both on the drop outs and on the seat stays. Let's hope the LHT has all the necessaries with a boring straight seat tube.

LoL the Moonlander, innit!