Surly Long Haul Trucker

[debudebu]

Hi,
I've done some long tours in the past using an old road bike with some rough mods for touring, but i had problems with the hubs, gearing, and brakes.  I'm interested in building my own touring bike, but I realized that all the good touring frames are outrageously expensive.  I've come across a Surly Long Haul Trucker frame that seems pretty good and in my price range.  Has anyone used this framset for loaded touring?  It will be my only bike, so I'll be riding it quite a bit unloaded also.  I'm thinking of using the following cmponents:
xt hubs with 36h 700c rims
xt cassette
105 crankset and BB
shimano deraileurs xt, 105
dura-ace 9speet bar-end shifters
any suggestions for:
some sort of good touring saddle, post?
good, inexpensive headset?
brakes? cantilever? v style?
handlebar?  I like drop-bars, but I like the idea of mustache bars too.  I'd really like something inbetween a drop bar and a mustache bar: more drop than a mustache but not as much as a normal drop.  kind of like a drop bar with the drops bent outward 4 or 5 inches. Does anyone know of something like this?
Thank you for any advice or positive/negative comments on the Surly Long Haul Trucker.

[LDiskin]

The Surly Long-Haul Trucker seems like a great choice. I've seen a couple in person and would buy one myself. Their cross-check line has been incredibly popular. I wouldn't be surprise if part of the reason they started making the Long-haul trucker is because so many people have been using the cross-check for loaded touring that they figured they'd make a frame that would be even better for that purpose.

Handlebar and seat selection comes down to personal preference. But I can tell you from vast experience that there is no such thing as a "good cheap headset" There are a select few models that are inexpensive and anywhere near what I would call good. Some that are above average and not terribly expensive are the upper end of the Cane Creek line. Those have been consistently acceptable but if you truly want a good headset for a touring type bike, buy a Chris King, it's worth every penny in the long run! Nothing else even comes close.

--
Larry Diskin
Adventure Cycling Association

[DaveB]

Actually, there is a "good, inexpensive headset" available.  Shimano's Ultegra cartridge bearing headset (HP-6500) is extremely durable and less than $40. I have over 30,000 miles on one set of bearings in mine and the steering is still precise and smooth.
 
Unfortunately, it is available only in 1" and only for threaded forks so that probably won't help you.   Too bad.   Highly recommended if it fits your bike.
 
I agree that the high end Cane Creeks are good and the FSA Orbit XL is also.  These are cartridge bearing units so they avoid the tendency to pock mark (aka: brinell) the crown race that leads to "index steering" and spells the doom of most loose bearing headsets.

Chris King is the best available but priced WAY up there and, in my estimation, not worth the cost.

The handlebars you are describing sound like Rondanee (sp?) bars which are drop bars with the drops flared our a bit to increase wrist clearance.  These used to be common touring bars but I haven't seen them advertised in quite a while.  You might check the Rivendell web site and see if they have a line on these.  

[scott.laughlin]

Hi,

If you haven't bought anything yet, try looking at www.efn.org/~cat.

Scott

[2wheelwill]

I'm also considering the Long Haul Trucker and so far all I've heard are positive things.  Surly is also now making their own front and rear rack out of steel which should be super strong--and heavy.

As for bars, you might want to check out Salsa Bell Lap cyclocross bars.  They have the touring style but not to the extreme.  I think they're also pretty cheap.

[debudebu]

thanks for the replies.  Since i posted this message my budget kept getting smaller, so i ended up getting an old bianchi mountain bike for $200 that had been fitted with 8spd deore components.  i plan on adding butterfly bars and friction thumbshifters.  and of course i'll need racks and fenders....and....this gets really pricy, but the whole thing should end up under $450.

[TheDaltonBoys]

debudebu - Have you considered an Extracycle kit???. Have to agree with other respondents in this vein given the huge wealth of knowledge....can't add anything there. If you do get back around to a larger budget the Surly would be an excellent choice. Enjoy the voyage  Mark of the Dalton Boys