Hello all.

New here! Got into touring with a LHT but found myself doing mostly off road stuff. Would love a Surly but they are not cheap here in the UK.

Enter the Longitude – people raved about the 2015 version and then no one seemed to talk about the 2016 version despite getting good reviews.

You can still find the 2016 version and is a steal at around £650. However the 2017 looks good too – couldn’t find much info about it however.

Any reason not to buy this bike for dirt touring and bikepacking – or not take it over the much cheaper 2016 version?

I have the 2016 Tarn 10, really pleased with set up and feel of the bike. Use it for all sorts of rides, mainly XC.

I’ve got the 16 longitude and love it. I was after something rigid to use as a general bike in the winter and for bike packing. For me some of the reasons the 16 bike get ignored are a bonus. Like the dropper routing and tapered head tube. These make it more adaptable. Would have preferred a steel fork however the alloy one works well and is not harsh.

I was (and am) interested in both the 2016 & 17 models. Only sticker might be the 2017 version has (I’m pretty sure) a straight steerer, compared to tapered on the 2016 – offset by the aluminium fork on the 2016 that rubbed some people up. Also, I’m pretty sure the 2016 had a triple chainset vs a double on the current model, although I’ve since seen website clearance specs suggesting that’s not the case (spec change or copy’n’paste from the current model?).

My feeling is I’d go for the 2016 at the prices available (I’ve been on the verge of hitting the button a couple of times).

2017 is straight steerer. That would have ruled it out for me. I bought frame only then built 1×10 with bits I had already and alpkit wheels.

Note running a triple on the 16 limits rear tyre width, I’d imagine the 17 has the same restrictions though as it’s still a 135 rear end.

I’ve had a 2017 model for a couple of weeks, only done a couple of overnight trips so far but really enjoying it. Big tyres and steel frame & fork mean a comfy ride, don’t think i’d want to put suspension on it as I have a High Latitude for more technical riding.

Only issues I’ve had are one of the fork eyelets was slighty off center so putting my front rack on was a little tricky, but not enough to be a problem. Also there’s two eyelets on the downtube, I think having three there would be more versatile.

It’s my first bike with horizontal dropouts which takes some getting used to, but once I’ve set up the tyres tubeless I won’t be taking the rear wheel out very often. It also gives the option to have a hub gear or run it singlespeed in the winter which I like.

Looking at the tyre clearance, there’s room for 3.0″ tyres front and back, but I think changing to a 1x system would be necessary as the chain would be close to the tyre. The lowest gear stock gearing clears the 2.8″ tyres no problem.

Stock bars are a little wide, but I’ve now swapped them out for some On One OG bars to try out. Also going to have the front wheel rebuilt with my dynamo hub.

Early days but I think if you’re after a bike for bikepacking and dirt touring it’s a winner!

tried the 2016 one on short test-ride and liked it a lot. There was a small outcry about changes made for that year and obviously the response was the 2017 model. I’d have been happy with a 2016 – it felt planted, responsive and comfortable. Also not nearly as heavy as I would have imaged. Can’t comment on possible comfort-issues around the alloy forks over long rides. Anyway in the end I was side-swiped by a Vagabond and two rides later I went for that. No regrets, it just felt right at first ride.

Being super-picky, the only thing that bugs me about the 16/17 Longitudes is the ‘urban camouflage’ paint effect. Shallow of me, maybe, but it just doesn’t gel with an offroad bike (or any bike, except maybe a Y2K DownWivDaKids BSO pseudo-jump bike?)

Long live the Longitude. If circumstances change I may still get one to round off this tiny fleet of three (1 x road, 1 x cargo, 1 x monstercoss) though should probably get a hardtail rather than a fourth rigid

What’s that front rack stee

The ramin 3 plus is worth a look too

Specialized pizza rack, the legs on the Longitude are slightly wider than ideal but I squeezed it on there! Waiting to get a front bar harness then I will likely switch to that and cages on the fork legs but so far the rack and bag combo is working well.

Thanks all! Seems that either way I’ll end up with a bike that’ll do me well – I’m headed over to try the GDMBT this year.

Just a couple of questions forsomeone unfamilar with bicycle mech. What’s the difference bewtween a tapered and straight headset?

And also would either bike be okay for a straight out swap with Jones bars withoutchanging shifters etc?

Steezysix, thats a fine setup! Any advice on sizing? I’m 5’10 with 31 leg, thinking the medium but many people seem to go large with mountainbikes?

I know someone selling a Surly ECR if you’re interested?

@ fatmountain – I’m 6’1″ and went for the large. I have a 19″ High Latitude which has always felt cramped on pedally day rides, the Longitude has a longer top tube and shorter stem, feels perfect for me. I’d probably say go for the medium as you could always put a longer stem on but best if you can sit on one to see for yourself – I’m in Bristol if you want to try mine.

I don’t think you’d have any issues swapping bars, I’ve changed from the stock flat bars to a swept one, will try it this week and see how I get on.

Tapered headtube will probably make the front of the bike marginally stiffer, but it’s mainly relevant if you wanted put suspension forks on at some point. I knew I wasn’t going to do that with this bike and having all the eyelets on the fork is much better for attaching bags & racks.

The alloy fork also has the bag and rack eyelets.

As above tapered gives the option of Sus fork. Most new forks are tapered only.

I picked up a 2017 model for £800 new off eBay. Im loving it for all day tootling about and love the skinny tube big tyre look and ride.

mines a medium and I’m 5’8″ and it fits me fine. I trimmed 2cm off each end of the bars though and fancy some jones bars to stretch out a bit on long flat runs.

Tubeless was easy with some gorilla tape and valves. I bet the wtb tyres would have gone up without sealant!

I like the look of the 2017 model over the 2016 and was lucky to get a good deal on the 2017.

Thanks looks a great set up stee

This is mine with a Pelago commuter rack on the front. I can fit a 24 litre Carradice Super C Saddlebag on the rack. Annoyingly, my small panniers won’t fit on the front as the hooks are spaced too far apart for the horizontal rail, but I might try some different ones sometime.

I’ve swopped the bars for On One Mary bars.

I need to set it up tubeless when I’ve worked out how to do it 🙂

jerrys

you’ll need some decent tyre levers, a roll of gorilla tape, a couple of valve and some sealant. I used soapy water and a track pump to get the tyres inflated and onto the beads, it was surprisingly easy as the wtb tyre/ rim combo is a tight fit.

I only used wide enough tape to fill the centre well and a bit more, something like an inch wide or similar.

Steezysix any more pics of the front bag and mount?
Liam

Here you go, the bag is from ewetsuits.com, pretty good but the attachment points aren’t ideally positioned for then shape of the rack. Easy enough to get it solidly fastened though and much cheaper than the bag Specialised make!

Agreed, its a close fit for size, i tried and ortlieb basket but it didnt fit.

Bike-Basket (rear)

After reading this thread yesterday, I had an idle browse on eBay and, long story short, am now the owner of a 2017 Longitude courtesy of a guy a few miles from me and £600 lighter.

Off to pick it up tonight after a long day travelling with work 😀

The Selkirk MTB marathon on Sunday may be it’s maiden voyage.

Truth is I’ve been eyeing up a bike like this for a while. It ticks all boxes, with the exception that I’d prefer a tapered head tube for upgrade potential, but you can’t have everything.

I ended up buying a new 2016 for £670. I’ll replace the bars with Velo Orange Crazies and maybe thinking about a front rack. So far the bike is really fun to ride and handles great. I’m gonna take it to Wales for a shakedown soon =)

By the way, does anyone know if the Surly 8/24 Racks fit the Longitude? And if anyone could recommend a handlebar bag too, that would be appreciated!