FYI the surly long haul trucker is now coming prepackaged with s/s couplers (or actually I think it is the cross check, called the travelers check: http://www.surlybikes.com/files/Surl...008_lo_res.pdf), so if travel is in the future for him, its something to look into. From what I have seen, I concur with most of what has been said, a sturdy steel frame and high spoke count strong wheels are the two most impt. things to look for.