Re: [RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-11 Thread Tim Gavin
Chris-

Intense Tires Systems was a short-lived US design house that seemed
centered around BMX type bike tires.  They designed a fast tire for dirt
they called the Micro-Knobby, and eventually the Speedster (an even lower
profile design).  I love the 26 x 2.1 Micro Knobbies on my KOM, they make
a great tire for my 3-season riding on streets, gravel, and dirt.

Intense contracted Vee Rubber from Thailand to manufacture the tires, and
when Intense closed shop a couple years ago, Vee got the designs and have
introduced updated versions of them at the same time as they've been
increasing their US distribution.

Unfortunately, they no longer make a 26 Micro Knobby, but they do make the
Speedster in that size as well as 26 x 3.5 fat bike size (designed for
Pugsley-class 4 inch fat bikes).

Used Pugsleys can be found for less than $1k, and make a great intro to fat
bikes.  They're durable and usually have good mid-range Deore components.
There are lots of new fat bikes this year; they've finally achieved
critical fat.  There are also great USA builders; 616 seems like a great
shop as well as the Alaskan outfits.

Now that Iowa is firmly entrenched in the 4th season, what I affectionately
call Hoth, I turn to my 4-season bike, a Specialized Fatboy (with 4.5
studded Dillinger tires).  I chose that one since I started working at a
shop that carries them, and I'm a big guy (#220) who can appreciate the 5
inch tires.  It's a blast and appreciably lighter than the Surlies, and
cheaper than their 5 inch bikes.

I'm about to go out on my first real snow ride; we're back above 20 degrees
F since our first substantial snow.  It was -5 F with 30 knots of wind a
couple days this week!

Tim
(who is really, really excited to finish and show pictures of his lovely
lugged KOM)
at the ice planet of Cedar Rapids, IA

On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 9:12 PM, 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch 
rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com wrote:

I hadn't heard of the 3.5 Vee Speedsters.  I'll have to check those out.
 A Pugs is still lurking in the back of my mind as a future bike.



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Re: [RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-10 Thread Eric Platt
Ordered the 26 LHT in a 58cm frame before they were even out.  Wanted a
modern bike that somewhat duplicated the mid 80's Stumpjumpers I used to
own.  It is a competent bike, but like others have mentioned, it's not the
most inspiring ride.  Especially into a headwind.  For some reason, it has
never inspired me.  Have had 4 or 5 different cockpit setups and may once
again switch the bike over this winter.  If I don't sell it and buy a fat
bike.

How does it compare to the old stuff?  Generally agree with the others, you
will notice a higher bottom bracket on an older mountain bike.  And the
really slack angles.  I used to enjoy riding mine as a commuting bike and
all-rounder.  But it was not that good on things like single track.  And
today's trails would be even more of a challenge, IMO.

The other thing I would argue is, unless you get lucky the LHT will
probably have components that will last longer.  Just because they are
newer.  Of course, like everything that would depend on whether the LHT is
new or modified and what type of parts are hanging on the older mountain
bike.  Also, a lot of the lower level mountain bikes from the mid to late
1980's had high tensile steel in part, if not all of the frame.  This is
not in and of itself that bad, but something to consider in the price.  My
first mountain bike was a 1984 Ross Mt. Hood and the entire bike was hi-ten
although it was labeled cro-moly at the time. (This was the black bike, not
the chrome version.)  Even a ca. 1990 Specialized Hardrock only had a
cro-moly main triangle.

Oh, and to pile on what Doug just said - I live not too far from the ACA
northern tier route.  Each year usually see a number of bikes that are
heading across the country.  The most common might be the LHT.  Followed by
older mountain bikes.  Not scientific, just my observation.



Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 10:29 PM, dougP dougpn...@cox.net wrote:

 Chris:

 All-rounder covers a lot of sins.  I consider my Atlantis an all rounder
 because it's my daily ride, goes off road well enough for my purposes (like
 you, no single track gnarly MTBing) and I can toss 40 lbs of junk on it
 (and another 10 psi in the tires) and take off on tour.  But there's a ton
 of bikes that'll do all that quite competently.  The LHT is a known
 quantity that should be a competent all rounder.

 As to the differences between a pre-sus MTB and the LHT, I can offer my
 experience with my Atlantis  '90 Fisher HK-II.  The two most noticeable
 differences in handling come from the higher BB on the Fisher and the
 shorter chainstays.  The Atlantis is more comfortable, stable, predicable,
 etc., BUT one needs to keep in mind it's easier to strike a pedal
 off-road.  The higher BB on the MTB translates into more responsive
 handling with more ground clearance; desireable qualities off-road.  OTH,
 the longer chainstays on the Atlantis mean far less fussing around when
 mounting panniers.  I've used a rear rack with panniers on the Fisher, and
 the bags definitely get shoved as far back as possible for foot clearance
 (size 11 feet, not an unusual size).

 The Fisher is clearly a stiffer ride, as one would expect from a bike
 designed to bounce down Mt Tam, etc.  With 2 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme
 tires, it still has gobs of clearance.  There are a fair number of
 braze-ons  I've had front low riders on as well as a rear rack.  Recently
 I discovered it has an odd-ball headset size (1-1/4) so replacement parts
 may be a future issue.  It's TIG welded steel, with no tubing stickers, and
 cost around $500 when I bought it in 1990.  It has decent parts but I'm
 certain there were a gazillion similar bikes produced at the time.

 As a counterpoint, one of my touring buds has a late 90s rigid fork
 Stumpjumper that he has used for touring all over the world.  He's not much
 for off-roading but declares the bike perfectly adequate for daily riding
 and fully loaded touring.  He tours frequently with a couple that both have
 LHTs  love'em dearly.

 If you don't plan on a lot of load carrying (but somehow that sneaks up on
 you when it can be done) you might compare the Cross Check to the LHT. Of
 course, right now the coolest all rounder is the Sam Hillborne.used
 ones come up for sale here from time to time.  Food for thought.

 dougP

 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 7:44:05 AM UTC-8, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently
 exists.

 Riv 

Re: [RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch
I hadn't heard of the 3.5 Vee Speedsters.  I'll have to check those out. 
 A Pugs is still lurking in the back of my mind as a future bike.  

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 4:02:59 PM UTC-6, Tim Gavin wrote:

 FYI, the Surly Black Floyd semi-slicks apparently aren't much faster than 
 Knards.  The 3.5 Vee Speedsters are faster.  I have a friend that rides a 
 SS fat bike on those tires all summer, and I ride a related tire (Mk2) in 
 2.1 on my Schwinn KOM.  

 On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 4:00 PM, 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch 
 rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com javascript: wrote:

 Bob, 

 Good information.  I've ridden one 26 LHT but it was one size too small 
 and stock (ie, skinny tires and drop bars) so that ride really didn't tell 
 me a whole lot about the bike as I would set it up.  Your comment about 
 choosing the Pugs over the LHT is interesting.  I would love to test ride a 
 Pugs with the Black Floyd street tires on it.  I'm torn between a lively 
 bike and a comfortable bike.  Right now I'm riding a 90's Trek Multitrack 
 converted to 26 wheels and I find myself wondering how it compares to an 
 LHT.  The front-end geometry is the same and the chainstays are 3cm 
 shorter.  However, the top tube is smaller than the other main tubes so the 
 ride may be totally different than the LHT.  I'm worried that I'll buy an 
 LHT and then not like it.  I will say my 92 Rockhopper has an oversized top 
 tube and I liked the ride of it but who knows how that compares to an LHT.  



 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:34:20 PM UTC-6, Bob Cook wrote:

 I have an LHT with 26 wheels. It is indeed a capable bike. You can load 
 it like a mule and it will ride fine. I've ridden mine on packed dirt, 
 gravel, packed sand, and grassy, pot-holed double-track. No problems, 
 though it's not my first choice—or my second, or my third—for those 
 surfaces if load-bearing isn't required.

 Why? It rides like that mule. It's a pain for climbing and riding into a 
 stiff wind. I'd rather ride my Pugsley into a 25-MPH headwind than my LHT. 
 (I'd rather ride my Homer than either, but Homer does not see winter road 
 salt.)

 If the numbers I've gathered from various sources are correct, the 
 tubing dimensions of the Atlantis are more like the Cross-Check (9-6-9 28.6 
 mm TT) than the LHT (8-5-8 *31.8 mm* TT). If you want something that 
 rides more like an Atlantis, I imagine an old MTB with skinnier tubes, or 
 at least with a skinner TT than DT, would be your best bet.

 --
 Bob Cook

 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 9:44:05 AM UTC-6, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will 
 be using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm 
 interested in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in 
 each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement 
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I 
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently 
 exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know 
 there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  

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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread dougP
Chris:

All-rounder covers a lot of sins.  I consider my Atlantis an all rounder 
because it's my daily ride, goes off road well enough for my purposes (like 
you, no single track gnarly MTBing) and I can toss 40 lbs of junk on it 
(and another 10 psi in the tires) and take off on tour.  But there's a ton 
of bikes that'll do all that quite competently.  The LHT is a known 
quantity that should be a competent all rounder.  

As to the differences between a pre-sus MTB and the LHT, I can offer my 
experience with my Atlantis  '90 Fisher HK-II.  The two most noticeable 
differences in handling come from the higher BB on the Fisher and the 
shorter chainstays.  The Atlantis is more comfortable, stable, predicable, 
etc., BUT one needs to keep in mind it's easier to strike a pedal 
off-road.  The higher BB on the MTB translates into more responsive 
handling with more ground clearance; desireable qualities off-road.  OTH, 
the longer chainstays on the Atlantis mean far less fussing around when 
mounting panniers.  I've used a rear rack with panniers on the Fisher, and 
the bags definitely get shoved as far back as possible for foot clearance 
(size 11 feet, not an unusual size).  

The Fisher is clearly a stiffer ride, as one would expect from a bike 
designed to bounce down Mt Tam, etc.  With 2 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 
tires, it still has gobs of clearance.  There are a fair number of 
braze-ons  I've had front low riders on as well as a rear rack.  Recently 
I discovered it has an odd-ball headset size (1-1/4) so replacement parts 
may be a future issue.  It's TIG welded steel, with no tubing stickers, and 
cost around $500 when I bought it in 1990.  It has decent parts but I'm 
certain there were a gazillion similar bikes produced at the time.  

As a counterpoint, one of my touring buds has a late 90s rigid fork 
Stumpjumper that he has used for touring all over the world.  He's not much 
for off-roading but declares the bike perfectly adequate for daily riding 
and fully loaded touring.  He tours frequently with a couple that both have 
LHTs  love'em dearly.

If you don't plan on a lot of load carrying (but somehow that sneaks up on 
you when it can be done) you might compare the Cross Check to the LHT. Of 
course, right now the coolest all rounder is the Sam Hillborne.used 
ones come up for sale here from time to time.  Food for thought.

dougP  

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 7:44:05 AM UTC-8, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Kieran J
To my knowledge, a vintage MTB from the late '80s would differ from the LHT 
in terms of having a higher bottom bracket and most likely fairly slack 
seat and head tubes. Depending on the frame's geometry, it may ride well on 
the road and it may not. There have been differing reports in both 
directions.

Many of those older MTBs had fender/rack mount points and clearance for 
wide tires, so similar to the LHT in that sense. Moving into the 90's, MTB 
geo started to change towards the compact mountain angles (including front 
suspension-corrected geo) as opposed to the more touring type of thing that 
characterized the early Stumps and the like.

KJ


On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch
The plan right now is to go with the LHT but I want to cover all my bases 
and make sure I don't miss anything in an older bike.  

I would set mine up similar to this one:


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Cpmw_rNN3SQ/VLAp0qj-EUI/ADw/hjOHCCu209c/s1600/A%2B52cm%2BLHT%2B%283%29%2B52cm.JPG






On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 12:38:24 PM UTC-6, Montclair BobbyB wrote:

 While I love the Stumpies, I also love the LHT 26 disc version, and built 
 one up for my brother.  This is such a cool bike that you can do so much 
 with... This one is a 2x8 all internal-geared commuter.  Solid as a 
 rock,wide gear range and hydraulic discs; this is one seriously capable 
 bike. 


 https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jkONK0z2KfI/VLAfdhNT_XI/E3U/GRLVHRZJg4c/s1600/8503972004_dafb6ad887_h.jpg


 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement 
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I 
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently 
 exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  



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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Bill Lindsay
## agonizingly forced metaphor sequence INITIATE ##

It's like picking a restaurant in an unknown city.  

If you find a Chipotle, you know exactly what you'll get and it'll be 
pretty good.  
If you pick a restaurant at random, you might get total crap, and you might 
get the meal of your life

A 26 LHT is Chipotle.  A vintage mountain bike is a roll of the dice.  

## agonizingly force metaphor sequence TERMINATE ##

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 7:44:05 AM UTC-8, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Montclair BobbyB
While I love the Stumpies, I also love the LHT 26 disc version, and built 
one up for my brother.  This is such a cool bike that you can do so much 
with... This one is a 2x8 all internal-geared commuter.  Solid as a 
rock,wide gear range and hydraulic discs; this is one seriously capable 
bike. 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jkONK0z2KfI/VLAfdhNT_XI/E3U/GRLVHRZJg4c/s1600/8503972004_dafb6ad887_h.jpg


On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Charlie
I have used a SURLY CrossCheck with the 700c *Bruce Gordon*Rock n' Road 
Tires  

for a vacation bike that was carried in a truck to use wherever I happened 
to be, paved road - gravel bike trail or whatever was available where I was 
to ride on.

 SOMA has a similar frame. 

Charlie Petry

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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Re: [RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Jim Bronson
I have a 22 1992 Cannondale M500 that I have thought about converting
to an all-rounder (and 650b) but it's definitely not steel.  I bought
this bike new when I was in college.  I think it's 130 frame spaced
which helps.  It already has a nice silver crankset.  Needs a
periscope stem and drop bars, oh and a new wheelset, what the hey it's
only money right?  Can re-use 7 speed indexed drivetrain probably,
although thumbies have to go.

On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 11:03 AM, Charlie charliepe...@verizon.net wrote:
 I have used a SURLY CrossCheck with the 700c Bruce Gordon

 Rock n' Road Tires


 for a vacation bike that was carried in a truck to use wherever I happened
 to be, paved road - gravel bike trail or whatever was available where I was
 to ride on.

  SOMA has a similar frame.

 Charlie Petry

 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.

 --
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Keep the metal side up and the rubber side down!

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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch
Bob, 

Good information.  I've ridden one 26 LHT but it was one size too small 
and stock (ie, skinny tires and drop bars) so that ride really didn't tell 
me a whole lot about the bike as I would set it up.  Your comment about 
choosing the Pugs over the LHT is interesting.  I would love to test ride a 
Pugs with the Black Floyd street tires on it.  I'm torn between a lively 
bike and a comfortable bike.  Right now I'm riding a 90's Trek Multitrack 
converted to 26 wheels and I find myself wondering how it compares to an 
LHT.  The front-end geometry is the same and the chainstays are 3cm 
shorter.  However, the top tube is smaller than the other main tubes so the 
ride may be totally different than the LHT.  I'm worried that I'll buy an 
LHT and then not like it.  I will say my 92 Rockhopper has an oversized top 
tube and I liked the ride of it but who knows how that compares to an LHT.  



On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:34:20 PM UTC-6, Bob Cook wrote:

 I have an LHT with 26 wheels. It is indeed a capable bike. You can load 
 it like a mule and it will ride fine. I've ridden mine on packed dirt, 
 gravel, packed sand, and grassy, pot-holed double-track. No problems, 
 though it's not my first choice—or my second, or my third—for those 
 surfaces if load-bearing isn't required.

 Why? It rides like that mule. It's a pain for climbing and riding into a 
 stiff wind. I'd rather ride my Pugsley into a 25-MPH headwind than my LHT. 
 (I'd rather ride my Homer than either, but Homer does not see winter road 
 salt.)

 If the numbers I've gathered from various sources are correct, the tubing 
 dimensions of the Atlantis are more like the Cross-Check (9-6-9 28.6 mm TT) 
 than the LHT (8-5-8 *31.8 mm* TT). If you want something that rides more 
 like an Atlantis, I imagine an old MTB with skinnier tubes, or at least 
 with a skinner TT than DT, would be your best bet.

 --
 Bob Cook

 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 9:44:05 AM UTC-6, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement 
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I 
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently 
 exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  



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Re: [RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Tim Gavin
FYI, the Surly Black Floyd semi-slicks apparently aren't much faster than
Knards.  The 3.5 Vee Speedsters are faster.  I have a friend that rides a
SS fat bike on those tires all summer, and I ride a related tire (Mk2) in
2.1 on my Schwinn KOM.

On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 4:00 PM, 'Chris Lampe 2' via RBW Owners Bunch 
rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com wrote:

 Bob,

 Good information.  I've ridden one 26 LHT but it was one size too small
 and stock (ie, skinny tires and drop bars) so that ride really didn't tell
 me a whole lot about the bike as I would set it up.  Your comment about
 choosing the Pugs over the LHT is interesting.  I would love to test ride a
 Pugs with the Black Floyd street tires on it.  I'm torn between a lively
 bike and a comfortable bike.  Right now I'm riding a 90's Trek Multitrack
 converted to 26 wheels and I find myself wondering how it compares to an
 LHT.  The front-end geometry is the same and the chainstays are 3cm
 shorter.  However, the top tube is smaller than the other main tubes so the
 ride may be totally different than the LHT.  I'm worried that I'll buy an
 LHT and then not like it.  I will say my 92 Rockhopper has an oversized top
 tube and I liked the ride of it but who knows how that compares to an LHT.



 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:34:20 PM UTC-6, Bob Cook wrote:

 I have an LHT with 26 wheels. It is indeed a capable bike. You can load
 it like a mule and it will ride fine. I've ridden mine on packed dirt,
 gravel, packed sand, and grassy, pot-holed double-track. No problems,
 though it's not my first choice—or my second, or my third—for those
 surfaces if load-bearing isn't required.

 Why? It rides like that mule. It's a pain for climbing and riding into a
 stiff wind. I'd rather ride my Pugsley into a 25-MPH headwind than my LHT.
 (I'd rather ride my Homer than either, but Homer does not see winter road
 salt.)

 If the numbers I've gathered from various sources are correct, the tubing
 dimensions of the Atlantis are more like the Cross-Check (9-6-9 28.6 mm TT)
 than the LHT (8-5-8 *31.8 mm* TT). If you want something that rides more
 like an Atlantis, I imagine an old MTB with skinnier tubes, or at least
 with a skinner TT than DT, would be your best bet.

 --
 Bob Cook

 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 9:44:05 AM UTC-6, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently
 exists.

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.

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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Montclair BobbyB
That's HOT!!!  

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:20:06 PM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 The plan right now is to go with the LHT but I want to cover all my bases 
 and make sure I don't miss anything in an older bike.  

 I would set mine up similar to this one:



 https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Cpmw_rNN3SQ/VLAp0qj-EUI/ADw/hjOHCCu209c/s1600/A%2B52cm%2BLHT%2B%283%29%2B52cm.JPG






 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 12:38:24 PM UTC-6, Montclair BobbyB wrote:

 While I love the Stumpies, I also love the LHT 26 disc version, and 
 built one up for my brother.  This is such a cool bike that you can do so 
 much with... This one is a 2x8 all internal-geared commuter.  Solid as a 
 rock,wide gear range and hydraulic discs; this is one seriously capable 
 bike. 


 https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jkONK0z2KfI/VLAfdhNT_XI/E3U/GRLVHRZJg4c/s1600/8503972004_dafb6ad887_h.jpg


 On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:44:05 AM UTC-5, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement 
 with the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I 
 have no interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently 
 exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  



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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Bob Cook
I was thinking about tubing differences between the LHT and the Pugs last 
night and this morning as I rode the Pugs into some blistering wind. I 
haven't measured diameters of tubes on the Pugs, but it looks to me like 
the usual configuration, i.e., DT has a larger diameter than TT. The LHT 
has 31.8 mm DT *and* TT. BQ's study of frame stiffness a few years back 
suggested, among other things, that the usual difference in diameter 
between DT and TT contributes to a more responsive ride. The LHT's 
same-diameter DT and TT make it less responsive.

Just to be clear, I wouldn't say the Pugs is lively, but it is just a 
little more responsive to my pedal stroke than the LHT.

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[RBW] Re: Surly LHT vs vintage MTB

2015-01-09 Thread Bob Cook
I have an LHT with 26 wheels. It is indeed a capable bike. You can load it 
like a mule and it will ride fine. I've ridden mine on packed dirt, gravel, 
packed sand, and grassy, pot-holed double-track. No problems, though it's 
not my first choice—or my second, or my third—for those surfaces if 
load-bearing isn't required.

Why? It rides like that mule. It's a pain for climbing and riding into a 
stiff wind. I'd rather ride my Pugsley into a 25-MPH headwind than my LHT. 
(I'd rather ride my Homer than either, but Homer does not see winter road 
salt.)

If the numbers I've gathered from various sources are correct, the tubing 
dimensions of the Atlantis are more like the Cross-Check (9-6-9 28.6 mm TT) 
than the LHT (8-5-8 *31.8 mm* TT). If you want something that rides more 
like an Atlantis, I imagine an old MTB with skinnier tubes, or at least 
with a skinner TT than DT, would be your best bet.

--
Bob Cook

On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 9:44:05 AM UTC-6, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

 Anyone have any thoughts on positives or negatives associated with 
 choosing a 26 LHT versus a 90's MTB, like a Stumpjumper or Rockhopper?  

 I'm familiar with the geometry differences between the two and I will be 
 using modern components (except for stem if I go vintage) so I'm interested 
 in things like ride quality, the impact of the tubing used in each, etc

 This will be an all-rounder bike that is primarily ridden on pavement with 
 the option to ride on packed dirt, gravel and even double track.  I have no 
 interest in single-track or mountain biking as it currently exists.  

 Riv content is that my bike project is directly inspired by the 56cm 
 Atlantis but I don't have the finances to go that route.  I also know there 
 is a vast amount of experience with this type of bike here.  


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