I’m stuck here. I’m debating on what to upgrade on the Beast of Burden. It has to be sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, and functional.
My Surly LHT is currently using Tektro V-brakes and Tektro R520 levers (which work well). It has 7-sp downtube shifters which are problematic for shifting while sprinting through intersections. It has a custom built (by me) dynohub front wheel and a 7-sp cassette rear wheel (still rolling well). Cheap Shimano Deore/Tourney derailleurs (which work well).
I guess my real dilemma is that I want to get the bike lighter, and modernize it somewhat, but without having to buy a whole new drivetrain. I don’t really need more gears. I want to be able to commute on it, and use it for group rides. This will require me to get a separate wheelset… keep the dynohub for commuting, and a lightweight set for charity group weekend rides. I can just strip off the rack and lights, and ride it with light wheels.
Do I just upgrade shifters and keep it 3×7? Future wheels can use a cassette spacer. I’m okay with that. But that requires going to mini-V brakes, which rules out fenders and fat tires in the future. (I won’t do cantis or Travel Agents… they just suck. Too complicated.)
It’s cheaper to keep using 7 speed gear, and it works. But I don’t like the downtube shifters for riding in traffic, and I can’t find decently light/sturdy 26″ road wheels. This will probably require custom wheels on my end. I’m wanting something that nobody makes.
Do I custom build some wheels and go with 9/10sp shifting? Too much cost for the shifters/cassettes/chains.
I think for now, as long as I can get 7-speed parts, I will stick with 3×7 or even 2×7 and just replace wheels as needed. I have a complete new 3×7 drivetrain waiting to go on the bike, I’m just wanting better shifting. There’s at least 4 companies still making 7-speed cassettes, and 2 that make shifters. And they’re cheap compared to the 9/10/11 speed stuff.
I think I’ll use some bargain-bin 26″ mountain wheelset for road rides for now… I have a pair of Vuelta Zerolite Comps in 26″ I can use. Not superlight, but aero and very cheap. Lighter than the old MTB/dynohub wheels. I will need another set of 26’s with knobbies to put on the Klunker.
I’m sure some of you are thinking “You’re an idiot, just get another road bike and be done with it.” I wish I could. But I’ve already got 2 bikes, and I don’t really need a third. I want to prove the LHT really is a “do-all” bike. With the right parts, the LHT can be a sub-20 pound bike. I’d be happy with 25 or so. Can I lose 5 pounds off the bike just by swapping parts? Very likely. If I can get it to 25 pounds in group ride trim, I think it’ll be perfect. Don’t care what it weighs when I’m commuting, as I’m carrying 2 panniers anyway.
Can I do it for cheap? A 25# LHT using 7-speed parts? It’s the perfect balance of functionality, retro, and cheap.
I’m going to find out.