The "do everything" tank - Surly LHT

recommended the Soma one as it got lowrider as well as a big porteur base.

+1 for the Soma, I love mine. They are expensive though.

Do you have to mount it to the front hub? Will it fit to rack mounts?

It will fit to rack mount, LHT have them all.

Has this been re-sold yet?

nope, sticking to rim brakes

edit - as above, other OTP wheelset to considered is the Deore/A319 (M:Wheel).

not available... only on DT Swiss 7.1, but rear is out of stock

What about the nice Spa Cycles sputnik/deore wheelset.
I've got a pair and they're ace. Think Skully also does. They're heavy but fuckin solidly built.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b17s178p2234

agree with sorethroat - spas for 105s, 36 spoked on exal 17s. Brilliant, strong wheels both for road/rough stuff. They've been on crosscheck for 18 months through
winter/touring no problems - money £200 very well spent!

Can't get 105 hubs, 135mm rear spacing.

I'm contemplating a Deore XT to A319 wheelset, 32h, Alpine III spokes. Should come in cheaper than the Spa option if I lace them myself and get them tensioned and trued at a LBS.

Either black hubs/rims or all silver...

It also crossed my mind to get the XT disc hubs, incase I change to disc brakes in the future..?

Might be a good move.

Six bolt or centre lock disc mount?

deffo black components/hubs/rims

QR driveside fail

I've had wheels from rose bikes, I had to get them sorted.

Harry Rowland's your man.

QR driveside fail

says the man who has never burnt his knuckles on a hot disc...

I've had wheels from rose bikes, I had to get them sorted.

Harry Rowland's your man.

True, He built the wheels I'm using on my Somec...not a single issue

says the man who has never burnt his knuckles on a hot disc...

Ha!

just checking in to say currently using shimano sora flight deck 3300 STI with full size V brakes. best to use a adjustable V brake noodle to help when unhooking them but they work great.

You gave me some food for thought Peter, quite happy with friction on 6-8 speeds, is it slightly less intuitive on a 9 speed than 8?

Well , its just what I happened to have to make that bike work.

All in all not too much difference , but I think that's because of the quality of the chain and cassette. I d say the simplex was the better combination , the differene between indexed levers is slight. I think the real improvment comes from shifters.

What about the nice Spa Cycles sputnik/deore wheelset.
I've got a pair and they're ace. Think Skully also does. They're heavy but fuckin solidly built.

sputnik/deore is a bombproof combo. Spoke choice? Tester rates Alpines (a butted spoke with some extra metal at the bend – gotta be better than straight-guage). I'd have thought they'd be ideal.

I wouldn't use Spa Cycles though. I've found their communications pretty ropey and they're not cheap.

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When touring in the developing world you can use your stem or seatpost as a bribe to cross borders.

This is all you need for build inspiration.

(I know its not a surly, but its the same colour)

All the contact points on this seem pretty dialled (ok pedals mebbe not). Bar end shifters make more sense when paired with such shallow-drop bars.

+

+

Not sure how you would attach a disc brake and the cantis.

Not sure how you would attach a disc brake and the cantis.

Believe it or not that drivetrain is a mere week old. Soon to be completed with a Soma Porteur rack.

Stealthy!