Touring Bikes?? Can 2 people even own 7 bikes?

[KnottedYet]

Between the two of us, my sweetie and I harbor slightly more than 6 bicycles...

I vote for Surly Long Haul Trucker. Your favorite LBS can order a "complete" from QBP, at a cost to you of about $985. No non-competition contracts with the manufacturer, as Surly *IS* QBP.

BikerHen just bought one, and Trek420 wants one. I think SurlyGrrl has one.

www.surlybikes.com
http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I have a Surly Cross Check, which I use with rear panniers. I'm very happy with it. It's not as steady/stable as a LHT, but it suits me. I don't like WSD either. I really like the way Surly bikes fit me.

If not Surly, my next vote would be Kona Sutra. (disc brakes, which might come in handy for the person pulling the dog trailer) www.konaworld.com http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/SUTRA/index.html The 2007 Sutras are on sale at my LBS right now for $1,100. (2008's are just around the corner)

Most touring bikes (in fact, all the touring bikes I've found) are steel. For a good reason! Steel is a lovely material. Rides like butter, wears like... well, steel!

If you are aiming at a long self-supported tour, you might want to seriously consider bar-end shifters like on the Surlies. (unless you have the tools and know-how to fix indexed brifters) The indexed rear Shimano bar-con on the Surly can be switched to friction, so if anything goes out of adjustment with your rear der, you can go friction and it becomes a moot point. The front is friction, which makes trimming the front der a breeze.