Ridgeback or Surly

[fortech]

Hi
I have still been trying to find a right touring bike, originally the price range was £800 so the Ridgeback Voyage took my eye, but whilst looking I have come across the Surly long haul trucker which has had a lot of good reviews but a bit more costly at £945. Does the Surly's components compared to the Ridgeback warrant the extra money? The bike I get will probably only be rode in the uk and a c2c and a lejog is on the cards.
Thanks

[Nutsey]

I researched the trucker when buying my tourer, and came to the conclusion that the trucker is meant for really hardcore touring. Like on rough paths, over massive distances, with LOADS of luggage. Seems like a proper hardcore 'trecker'. A bit too extreme for my needs.

[irc]

Hi
I have still been trying to find a right touring bike, originally the price range was £800 so the Ridgeback Voyage took my eye, but whilst looking I have come across the Surly long haul trucker which has had a lot of good reviews but a bit more costly at £945. Does the Surly's components compared to the Ridgeback warrant the extra money? The bike I get will probably only be rode in the uk and a c2c and a lejog is on the cards.
Thanks

What weight are you? My long Haul Trucker has a noticeably firmer ride when unloaded than my previous 531ST framed Dawes Galaxy. I'm 16 stone. So I think some lighter riders might find the Long Haul Trucker frame and fork a bit stiff for general use.

Flawless IMO as a loaded tourer though. The Galaxy frame was a bit flexy under load but had a superbly supple ride unloaded or with a light load.

[reohn2]

Fortech
Have you looked at the Surly Cross Check? Its a lighter frame than the LHT and should be a good alrounder for those not wanting a true expedition beast of burden.
I almost bought the F&F myself recently and probably would have but for a Cannondale T800 coming up s/hand, The C/check has big tyre clearances laid back geometry and rear rack fittings.
If you were to buy the F&F, a pair of wheels from Spa I'd bet with a bit of searching you'd beat the £900 easily being asked for a complete bike,of course it would mean building it up yourself if you're up for that.

[fortech]

What weight are you? My long Haul Trucker has a noticeably firmer ride when unloaded than my previous 531ST framed Dawes Galaxy. I'm 16 stone. So I think some lighter riders might find the Long Haul Trucker frame and fork a bit stiff for general use.

I am 5ft 9" weighing 11st, I am looking for a bike that can take the weight of rear panniers and a tent + bedding as i do not think I will ever go for full out touring with front panniers as well, but you never know. Also need the bike to used at the weekends for fitness runs.

The C/check has big tyre clearances laid back geometry and rear rack fittings.
If you were to buy the F&F, a pair of wheels from Spa I'd bet with a bit of searching you'd beat the £900 easily being asked for a complete bike,of course it would mean building it up yourself if you're up for that.

I would have to buy a complete bike as I am not that great at bike mechanics.

[reohn2]

I would have to buy a complete bike as I am not that great at bike mechanics.

In that case then go for the package,one thing that concerns me is that the wheels are only 32hole but if you're only 11st it shouldn't be a problem,the tyres would need any upgrade to something like Marathons or similar and its only a compact chainset not a triple.

The R/back is set up for touring is cheaper but it has cheaper hubs,still 32holes though but the seat tube angle is a disgraceful 74deg .

[brumster]

I have a Surly Cross check - very nice versatile bike, though I think it is better suited for lightweight touring IMO. I'd rather have the heavier/stiffer Surly Long Haul Trucker for cycle camping as it should handle better with heavier loads than the cross check.

[fortech]

one thing that concerns me is that the wheels are only 32hole but if you're only 11st it shouldn't be a problem,the tyres would need any upgrade to something like Marathons or similar and its only a compact chainset not a triple.

Have been looking at the c-check, is it just a case of changing the chainset to a triple or would the cassette have to be changed a well? would the cassette supplied be ok for my needs at the moment. Maybe I could get a deal with the LBS in swapping the parts.
I will also look into buying the frame and conponents separately and getting the LBS to put it together to compare cost. If getting Shimano parts does anyone know the order of quality in which they come or recommend any components, but trying to keep the bike build under £1000.

by brumster

I have a Surly Cross check - very nice versatile bike, though I think it is better suited for lightweight touring IMO. I'd rather have the heavier/stiffer Surly Long Haul Trucker for cycle camping as it should handle better with heavier loads than the cross check.
I have a Surly Cross check - very nice versatile bike, though I think it is better suited for lightweight touring IMO. I'd rather have the heavier/stiffer Surly Long Haul Trucker for cycle camping as it should handle better with heavier loads than the cross check.

The bike I want will be for touring the UK and will probably only have rear panniers fitted with a light tent and bedding on top of the rack just in case I get caught out and cannot find a place to stay whilst doing the LEJOG, not full out camping equipment. I have noticed that this years model has eyelets on the forks to take a front rack, I will get in touch with Surly to see how much weight this bike can carry.

[John-D]

The R/back is set up for touring is cheaper but it has cheaper hubs,still 32holes though but the seat tube angle is a disgraceful 74deg .

Are you sure about the 32 holes?

What seat tube angle would be optimum?

[Nutsey]

one thing that concerns me is that the wheels are only 32hole but if you're only 11st it shouldn't be a problem,the tyres would need any upgrade to something like Marathons or similar and its only a compact chainset not a triple.

Have been looking at the c-check, is it just a case of changing the chainset to a triple or would the cassette have to be changed a well? would the cassette supplied be ok for my needs at the moment. Maybe I could get a deal with the LBS in swapping the parts.
I will also look into buying the frame and conponents separately and getting the LBS to put it together to compare cost. If getting Shimano parts does anyone know the order of quality in which they come or recommend any components, but trying to keep the bike build under £1000.

by brumster

I have a Surly Cross check - very nice versatile bike, though I think it is better suited for lightweight touring IMO. I'd rather have the heavier/stiffer Surly Long Haul Trucker for cycle camping as it should handle better with heavier loads than the cross check.
I have a Surly Cross check - very nice versatile bike, though I think it is better suited for lightweight touring IMO. I'd rather have the heavier/stiffer Surly Long Haul Trucker for cycle camping as it should handle better with heavier loads than the cross check.

The bike I want will be for touring the UK and will probably only have rear panniers fitted with a light tent and bedding on top of the rack just in case I get caught out and cannot find a place to stay whilst doing the LEJOG, not full out camping equipment. I have noticed that this years model has eyelets on the forks to take a front rack, I will get in touch with Surly to see how much weight this bike can carry.

According to my local shop, it works out cheaper to buy the standard crosscheck package (rather than just the bits you want), then buy the parts you want to swap as well. After swapping to triple chainset, adding a good rack, spd pedals, appropriate tyres, and sti gear shifters, it'll cost you £1,300 ish.

I use it for touring with 2 rear fender bags and camping kit (no cooking stuff), and it handles fine. I use a Blackburn rack and Ortlieb bags, which allow a low centre of gravity when packing luggage. When riding without gear on the weekends, its a pleasure to sit on, and fast. I imagine I couldn't say that about the Trucker.

[gilesjuk]

If it helps swing it to Surly, Surly frames are powder coated as they try to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

[fortech]

Just looked at evans site on the R/back and it states that it has Alex ACE-19 36h rims with Shimano rm60 hubs and a seat tube angle of 73.5 degrees (56 frame).
The c/check has Alex DA16 32h rims with Shimano Deore , HB/FH590 32h, 100mm OLD front, 135mm OLD rear hubs and a seat tube angle of 72.5 degrees (56 frame).
Lastly the LHT has Alex Adventurer 36h rims with Shimano XT, HU-M770 hubs and a seat tube angle of 73 degrees (56 frame).

[fortech]

Just an update to let you know I have just been in touch with Bromley Bike Company who have said that the c/check is actually drilled for a triple setup so they can add a 26t chainring for a cost of £25-£35 depending on the chosen chainring.

[CREPELLO]

The R/back is set up for touring is cheaper but it has cheaper hubs,still 32holes though but the seat tube angle is a disgraceful 74deg .

What seat tube angle would be optimum?

Relaxed. Colin 531 suggests 71 degrees would be ideal. Many tourers will be 73D. 74D is not good at all. With the steeper seat tube angle you are pushed further forward, which is the riding position of a racing cyclist - more power to the legs, but more weight on the bars. Tourists benefit from the more layed back angle, which gives less power to the legs but critically less weight is put on the bars so less tiring. The only realistic way to to overcome the steep seat tube is a seat post with long layback and they aren't common. Or there is the VK saddle adaptor (I haven't used this myself).

[reohn2]

Are you sure about the 32 holes?

Yep checkout the spec:-
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check_complete/

On the spec sheet they're saying 36holes for the R/back,sorry my mistake.

What seat tube angle would be optimum?

For most folks 72deg for us tall daddy long legged ones 71deg