An upgrade for the Long Haul Trucker

After my three day, 231 mile trip on the Surly Long Haul Trucker a little over a week ago, I decided I needed to upgrade the rubber on the bike. The original equipment tires, WTB Slickasaurus were pretty much done for after only 1,250 total miles. The tires pick up debris like no tire I've ever had. I flatted on that trip and I discovered 15 shards of glass in the back tire and another 10 in the front. If I hadn't put in Mr Tuffy tire liners when they were new, I'm sure I would have had a few more flats. There was numerous cuts in the tire from the glass shards, several cut completely through the tire's threads. This tire was not made for the kind of miles I do and the amount of debris that is on the local roadways.
In the last year I have put Schwalbe tires on my Xtracycle and then on my Surly Cross Check fixed gear. I am very impressed with these tires. They are highly flat resistant and roll very nicely despite how heavy they are. After I got home from the trip I emailed Jim at Hiawatha Cyclery in Minneapolis and two days later the tires were on my front porch. The WTB's were 26 x 1.5, the Schwalbe's are a bit bigger at 26 x 1.75. I really like the larger tire. They give a much nicer ride than the narrower WTB's and they fill up the fender a bit better. I think they look better on the bike than a smaller tire.
The ride was much improved. The Schwalbes roll faster, give me more confidence in a corner and feel as if they have a stiffer sidewall....yet provide more cush. I love 'em!!!
I also had Jim throw in a Frost River Echo Trail Bag. Ironic that I order a bag from Minneapolis when it is made right here in Duluth. Looks good on the LHT with the Brooks saddle!

Another comment about the LHT is how impressed I was with the ride it gave while loaded during my trip. I have heard the LHT comes into it's own when loaded up. I found that to be very true. I was amazed at how well it handled a load. Never a shudder or shimmy. Took bumps and uneven pavement without a shudder or shimmy. I reached speeds up to 38 mph on downhills and it never shuddered or shimmied. Pulling away from a stop it never shimmied. It was rock solid, all the time. It was extremely comfortable, even after 8 hours in the saddle. Never a sore shoulder, or neck or back, or backside. It was a joy to ride!!! This bike was made to haul all day long!
Susan is at a wedding in York, PA right now. This picture is for her, in case she gets access to the internet and looks at the blog. The dahlias are lookin' good Susan!

July: 582 miles
2008: 4,282 miles