Must upgrades for LHT

[sackcycle]

What are a must upgrade to improve performance of a LHT?

[3781miles]

The LHT is nearly perfect to me for what it is made for. You really get the best bang for your buck with this bike. The only thing I changed was my seat and added on the racks. What are your plans for your LHT?

[John Nelson]

None

[sackcycle]

The LHT is nearly perfect to me for what it is made for. You really get the best bang for your buck with this bike. The only thing I changed was my seat and added on the racks. What are your plans for your LHT?

Planning on a cross country trip this year, the only thing I have changed is the seat Terry Ti

[jfitch]

I would replace the stock cantilevers with V-brakes. It made an immense difference for both me and my wife. I'd also put on lower gearing, but I'd consider that optional rather than must. You can't have gearing that's too low on a touring bike.

[3781miles]

Supported? If not you gotta go with their racks.

[Pat Lamb]

Well, you have to add the pedals of your choice.  I'd replace the saddle with a Brooks.  You could put on a smaller chain ring, especially if you've got the friction option on the barcons for the front.  Or not.

Then I'd have to add the things that make a bike kit into a bike -- cyclocomputer, lights, water bottle holders, fenders, rack(s).

[Galloper]

Mine has a Brooks saddle, V brakes and trekking bars with Shimano thumb shifters and SRAM brake levers.

I prefer a more upright riding style hence the bars.   I find the thumb shifters and brake setup suits me better.

One of the added advantages of the Brooks saddle is the fact that it has loops for a saddle bag so I can use my Carradice bag for short trips.

[DaveB]

Your question is unanswerable without us knowing how your LHT is equipped now and what type of riding you plan to do with it.

The answer may be "do nothing" or "change a lot".

[popeyespal]

I have a 2011 LHT just purchased in November from Harris Cyclery,(nod to the Great Sheldon Brown).

Assuming you bought a brand new, stock, LHT here is what I did. I am also assuming here that you will be using the bike for touring.

Added peddles as the bike has none. Your choice on type. (This is a topic on it's own)
Added SKS fenders.
Added two bottle cages.
Added air pump.
Added front and rear racks. (This is optional as you may choose to haul a trailer, again....it's own topic.)
Added lighting and sound. (Bell or horn as long as you can be heard)

I also bought a Brooks Flyer saddle which I have yet to install because the stock seat turned out to be pretty comfortable for me.

[indyfabz]

Out caution I will add one thing.  After maybe 1.5 yrs. of commuting and short tours, the ridges on the seat post and/or mounting hardware became worn the point where the saddle no longer stayed in position.  It would tilt back after a short time no matter how hard I tightened the bolt.  I had to replace the post.  Never heard of this happening to anyone else, so it may have been an anomoly.  And maybe my 215 lbs. had soemthing to do with it.

I also put on a Terry Liberator, but it's my understanding that the saddle that comes with the current edition is better than what the bike used to come with.

[sackcycle]

Your question is unanswerable without us knowing how your LHT is equipped now and what type of riding you plan to do with it.

The answer may be "do nothing" or "change a lot".

It's all stock

[DaveB]

Your question is unanswerable without us knowing how your LHT is equipped now and what type of riding you plan to do with it.

The answer may be "do nothing" or "change a lot".

It's all stock

OK, that answers half the question.  Now, what do you plan to do with it?  Recreational rides? Fully loaded touring? Credit Card (light) touring? Commute?  Grocery shop? 

Your intended use will have a great effect on what you should add or change.

[John Nelson]

And what exactly do you mean by "improve performance"?

[sackcycle]

Your question is unanswerable without us knowing how your LHT is equipped now and what type of riding you plan to do with it.

The answer may be "do nothing" or "change a lot".

It's all stock

OK, that answers half the question.  Now, what do you plan to do with it?  Recreational rides? Fully loaded touring? Credit Card (light) touring? Commute?  Grocery shop? 

Your intended use will have a great effect on what you should add or change.

Fully loaded touring, some problems I'm having is shimming at high speeds. Thanks for all the reply's