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Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT) Life on the Road (Maintenance History)

This post reflects life on the road with my Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT). The bike itself and its build, specification, modification along with links to other resources is discussed here.

The purpose of this post is to summarise the maintenance and repair history of the LHT. It will be updated as time in the saddle warrants.

Date

Kilometres

Summary

     
     

August 5, 2010

8,397 km

Life Time -  Cost per kilometre – 0.37 cents (includes capital cost)
2010  -  Cost per kilometre – 0.13 cents (repairs, maintenance and non-bike specific costs (applied on pro-rata basis) to date in 2010)

     
August 5, 2010 8,397 km

Completed a standard 500 km service.

  1. Re-indexed the rear derailleur.
June 25, 2010 7,475 km

Completed a standard 500 km service.

  1. Swapped out the Schwalbe Marathon Cross HS 334 tyres with Continental Grand Prix 4-Season V 700 x 28C tyres.
April 17, 2010 6,978 km

Completed a standard 1,000 km service.

  1. Replaced the cadence sensor magnet which I lost on the Esperance – Perth road tour.
March 25, 2010

5,833 km

Prepared Sir Lancelot for his forthcoming Esperance to Perth road tour:

  1. Replaced the OEM chain, a SRAM PC-971 with a PC-991;
  2. Fitted a Topeak Modula Cage XL to hold a 1.25 litre water bottle;
  3. Fitted a Hebie Bipod 605 NL stand;
  4. Fitted a Tubus Tara Lowrider front rack;
  5. Fitted Schwalbe Marathon Cross 700c x 38 tyres to front and rear.
February 19, 2010

5,721 km

Completed a service. Chain now due for replacement.
September 20,2009

4,272 km

Completed a 500 km Winter Service, fitted Sigma Sports 1606 L bike computer and fitted 700x28C Continental Grand Prix 4-Season V tires.
September 6, 2009

3,736 km

Completed second service, a  500 km/ 310 mi Winter Service
July 23, 2009

3,527 km

Patched applied last night failed.  Had to repair the puncture again this morning.
July 22, 2009

3,498 km

Third puncture in the rear of the Continental Travel Contacts. Again a piece of glass appears to have been the culprit.
July 21, 2009

3,414 km

Second puncture in the rear of the Continental Travel Contacts. Large piece of glass was the culprit.
July 1, 2009

2,723.5 km

Third puncture in the front for the Continental Travel Contacts.  Large piece of glass was the culprit.

June 28, 2009

2,621 km

First 500 km / 310 mi Winter Service

June 26, 2009

2,621 km

Puncture in the front. Second puncture for the Continental Travel Contacts. Cause was a piece of glass.

June 17, 2009

2,138 / 1,328

Puncture in the rear. First puncture for the Continental Travel Contacts. Cause was a very small piece of wire.

June 14, 2009

1,966 / 1,122

Free service at Churchill Cycles – Adjust gears and brakes, clean and lube chain

May 8, 2009

1,091 / 678

Standard 1,000 km summer service.

May 3, 2009

900 / 559

Installed a set of aero bars to try out (now removed)

April 19, 2009

343 /213

Fitted accessories:

  • Fitted a pair of Universal Bicycle Swivel Mounts to hold the Fenix L2D headlights.  Discussion of the mounts can be found here.
  • Fitted a set of SKS Chromoplastic 50mm silver mudguards. Not as simple an installation as I expected and some fine tuning is still need.
  • Installed a Topeak Turbo Morph With Gauge pump.  I have mounted this using the bidon braze ons below the down-tube.  Will see how this goes in terms of road grunge etc.
  • Installed a Tubus Cargo (silver) rear rack.
  • Changed the mounting of the Smart SuperFlash rear tail light. It is now fitted alongside a second SuperFlash to the rear of the Tubus Cargo rack.
  • Installed my Avenir top bag to the Tubus Cargo. Not convinced this is the best option but will see how it goes.

April 4, 2009

0 km

Fitted accessories:

  • Fitted stem mount and cadence/speed sensor for the Garmin Edge 305 GPSr/bike computer. I had to remove the two spare spokes to allow for installation of the cadence/speed sensor;
  • Fitted a Zefal Spy Mirror;
  • Fitted a Smart SuperFlash rear tail light to the left hand seat stay;
  • Temporarily fitted water bottle holders and pump mount taken from my Giant CRX 1.

Related posts:

  1. Bicycle Maintenance – Some Good Ideas
  2. Maintenance – Adjusting Front Derailleur
  3. Maintenance – Adjusting V-Brakes
  4. Maintenance: Basic Bike Repair Tools
  5. Got that Sinking Feeling – How to Fix a Flat

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13 Comments

  1. Lee Davis says:

    Hi Andrew,

    I’d not heard of this bike before. I assume from the name it’s for long distance or Audax riding. What is the advantage of this over say the CRX1 you have? Just interested as I’m riding Kalgoorlie in October and thinking of a new bike for it.

    Cheers
    Lee

  2. Aushiker says:

    Hi Lee

    The Surly Long Haul Trucker is a steel framed touring bike, so yes designed for long-distance touring. It is stronger than the CRX 1, has more appropriate drivetrain specification, has braze-ons for racks front and rear, mudguards, frame pump etc, longer chainstays to avoid one’s heel catching on the panniers etc. You are welcome to view it/take it for a spin if you wish.

    Regards
    Andrew

  3. LHT Rider says:

    I’m really starting to like the Truckaccino color, sharp looking bike.

  4. Cambo says:

    Just a quick note on the Garmin GSC sensor mounting (your having to lose the spare spokes) – you can mount the sensor *under* the chainstay and the zip ties would fit beneath your spokes. :-)

    Also, I have a mate who just built his own LHT and I have sent him a link to this page.

    cheers
    CAMBo

  5. Aushiker says:

    Hi Cambo

    I did look into that, but IIRC that puts the cadence sensor on the wrong side. Not sure if it will pick up the magnet or be too far away. Might give it a shot anyway.

    Regards
    Andrew

  6. craig says:

    How do you find the mirror Andrew

    Is it worth grabbing one do you think for everyday commuting

  7. Aushiker says:

    Hi Craig

    The mirror is pretty good for around town, not so good on the open road out in the country. It does get bumped but is really easy to adjust back and can be easily removed. I also like its size. It is a Zefal Spy Mirror. I got it from Ideal Cycles.

    Andrew

  8. Deepak Rao says:

    Hi Andrew,

    Followed you here from the Google group. Just got myself a LHT and love it. Was wondering, does your hand on the bar get in the way of the view in the mirror?

  9. Aushiker says:

    Hi

    The Zefal Spy Mirror does get obscured when I am on the drops on the Long Haul Trucker, whereas on the Look 555 which has ergo bars, this is not an issue. I also find on the LHT that I easily bump it. Not a big deal to readjust, but it does happen.

    Regards
    Andrew

  10. Sarah says:

    Hi Andrew

    Also have a Truckacino LHT in Perth

    Have had a couple of scratches over the year. I see you have put the Pantone colour down Any idea of suppliers?

    May see you pedalling around!
    Sarah

  11. [...] Surly Long Haul Trucker Service – February 2010 Aushiker | February 19, 2010 3:27 pm Sir Lancelot, my Surly Long Haul Trucker received a service today at 5,721 km.  It has been 1,449 km since the last service which is a lot more than ideal. A full service history can be found here. [...]

  12. [...] First winter service for the Surly Long Haul Trucker in 2010 at 7,475 km. Pretty much on time for a change.  A full service history for the bicycle can be found here. [...]

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