Surly LHTrucker

A cranky head badge

Since I was doing a fair bit of touring, this purchase was as inevtiable as income tax. A longer wheel base bike was in the works as I kept compromising with my other too ‘mountain bikey’ bikes with a serious lack of braze ons. With the Trucker the braze ons were plenty for racks, mudguards and bottles. In fact the bike would be just incomplete without these add ons. I’ve held out on the sidestand so far. The long chainstays meant space for heels and large volume panniers. My front Ortleibs actually look like small phone books when mounted on the rear of the LHT.

As usual I did not need to get the whole bike though at SG $1800 retail, it was quite a good deal. A friend recently got one complete 2010 black LHT at 30% off that price, but my 2007 hospital linen blue frame (size 52 cm) cost only abt $500 and has paid for itself in many long distance trips. With the LHT the cockpit was a delight or on the other hand disdain, when it came to choices of handlebars and controls. I’ve gone through 5 versions and so when and if I am happy with the final combination that’ll be my LHT 5.0 or 6.0.

Tyre choices are going to be another bother……..

V 1.0 was a rush job to get rolling, wrong wheels and handle bar

More experimentation

and the Frog rims from Ambrosio was just a bit too bloody.......

I carry my wife's loads on tours. Looks nicer fully loaded. Bali 2008

New rims, soon to be extinct from the shops too

Drop bars and bar end shifters next, nicer stem and of course a mirror and full mudguards. She's coming of age LHT V 4.0

V 3.0 and the cockpit is getting crowded 2009

V 5.0, I think, I hope

2011 and a racier looking top half. I was 'arm twisted' into getting the white un oversized Jamis road stem. At S$10 / US$8, it was a no brainer !