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Surly Bikes Touring Bicycles

Surly Long Haul Trucker, Etc.

Surly? I know you are, but what am I?

The Surly Bikes website has a dealer locator which is updated regularly and lists  “shops we know have ordered a lot of Surly stuff or who we know to be knowledgeable in all things Surly”. Bike Touring News is the only shop listed within a 50 mile radius of zip code 83703.  Yes, we like Surly stuff  –  and I am even  surly. surly,surly,surly

surly frame decals

We currently have these customers Surly bikes/frames in the shop:

I talked about the Deluxe Trucker frame in this post. We consulted with the owner and came up with a build kit for this frame. Now I’m going to have some fun putting it together. The deluxe version (with SandS couplers) only is available as a frameset, which means the buyer gets to spec the parts the way he/she wants it. This always ends up costing a little more than buying a complete bike, but allows the opportunity for customization.

picture of frame
The Trucker Deluxe from Surly has two stainless steel couplers which make it possible to take the bike apart for travel.

3 surly bikes
The Trucker Deluxe with build kit is on the counter.

This customer bought the Long Haul Trucker complete version. This bike comes with the parts that Surly specs, and those parts are good. This machine is meant to be taken out of the box, put together and ridden across the country, and many, many people do that.

complete long haul trucker packaging
Surly Long Haul trucker, complete

This customer needs a solid, predictable and reliable commuter bike. He needed to look no further than the Surly Cross Check. We helped him determine the correct size which hopefully avoided some wailing and gnashing of teeth. These bikes too are available as complete kits, but the design features of the frames makes them especially suited for custom builds. The main feature I’m thinking of is the semi-horizontal rear dropouts, which make a single speed setup a no brainer. Although I think he will be building this with parts he already has and with a single chainring and 8 rear cogs. Very sensible! And, as with all Surlys the frame clearances allow for big tires and fenders. “Fatties Fit Fine”!

Surly Cross Check frame
Surly Cross Check frame

Categories
Surly Bikes Touring Bicycles

Surly Long Haul Trucker Deluxe

To Boise from Taiwan via Minneapolis.

The Bike Touring News store stocks all sizes of the Surly Long Haul Trucker in Boise, ID so stop by and test ride one, or more. Surly makes strong, serviceable and sensible bicycle frames from 4130 Chrome Molybdenum steel. We are huge fans. The Long Haul Trucker is designed for long distance, loaded travel in relative comfort. The LHT Deluxe comes with S & S Couplers, machined, stainless steel torque fittings which are brazed into the top tube and down tube. When disconnected the frame comes apart in two pieces, making it possible to pack a complete bicycle into a case that is within airline regulation sizes, without too much disassembly. If you have some time to kill, the company that makes the couplers, S&S Machine has an informative and interesting site.

picture of frame
The Trucker Deluxe from Surly has two stainless steel couplers which make it possible to take the bike apart for travel.

 

picture of closed coupler
One coupler on the down tube and one on the top tube.

 

S&S Coupler
The stainless steel sleeve is tightened with a special wrench, compressing the teeth ot the Hirth joint to connect the tubes.

 

Frame apart
Dismembered Surly Trucker Deluxe

Anyhoo, if you will be doing a lot of traveling and would rather have your own bike than a rental, then a bike with S&S Couplers might be an option. There is a special wrench made for tightening and loosening the couplers and it is important to use the recommended grease on the mating surfaces. You’ll need cable coupler disconnect fittings for your shift cables and rear brake cable too.