So confused!

[Slowspoke]

I would be touring light. I can't really see loading more that 30 lbs. My last couple tours were in the 50 miles per day range. I agree that I don't want flat bars. I MUST change my hand position often. My Bianchi is fitted with a rack and I can carry what I need but the geometry is just not right for touring. I also found a Trek 520 that I am going to test out tonight after work.
Sadly, adding another bike is space prohibitive. I will be giving up my Gary Fisher Marlin. Oh, here is thought. Could I fit that bike with handlebars better for touring? Fenders? Hmmm more research. It has a rack, good grannies but 26 inch wheels.

[Zen]

You left out Jamis and the Terry Valkyrie

[uforgot]

I would be touring light. I can't really see loading more that 30 lbs. My last couple tours were in the 50 miles per day range. I agree that I don't want flat bars. I MUST change my hand position often. My Bianchi is fitted with a rack and I can carry what I need but the geometry is just not right for touring. I also found a Trek 520 that I am going to test out tonight after work.
Sadly, adding another bike is space prohibitive. I will be giving up my Gary Fisher Marlin. Oh, here is thought. Could I fit that bike with handlebars better for touring? Fenders? Hmmm more research. It has a rack, good grannies but 26 inch wheels.

Doesn't the Marlin have front suspension also? You definitely do NOT want that. Added weight that is useless on the road. I have a Surly Cross Check and love it. Steel, comfortable and fairly economical. I know a few others that have the Trek 520 and they love it too.

[Slowspoke]

Yes, it has a front shock, but I can lock it out. I could also swap out the fork. So if I get a new fork, new tires, new handlebars, fenders and probably a new seat cuz I love the brooks on my roadie...I am talking about $400. Now, for about $1200 I can just pick up an entry level touring bike. That is a pretty big difference.

I am still calling around to find some bikes to try out. I called one place and he tried to talk me out of a touring bike. He goes, "they are heavy and everyone is going with hybreds nowdays. You won't like that road type handlebar. Besides, they are expensive"!!! LMBO I was asking about an $1100 bike,not a custom seven!!!

[canonsue]

When I was shopping for my touring bike, I found it amazing how many LBSs did not carry them and were a bit clueless about them. And yes, I had one store who wanted to put drop bars on a hybrid for me.

I ended up buying a Surly Long Haul Trucker from a LBS that actually had one in their store (of course not my size), but hey, they at least had one to look at.

-Sue

[bikerHen]

Have to chime in here with a plug for a heavy touring bike. I have a Surly LHT. It is a heavy sucker! I have a front mini rack w/bags, full fenders, 1 1/2" x 26 tires and assorted odds and ends. Bet the bike weighs close to 30 pounds. I pull a trailer when in touring mode. This bike is my foul weather daily commuter and will get me through anything. I recently did a VERY hilly organized ride and choose the Surly over my carbon fiber road bike. Yes I generally ride 1-2 mph slower with this bike, but with the mountain bike gearing I can get up and over almost any hill/mountain while pulling a fully loaded trailer. About this time every year I switch to my speedy road bike and I have a very hard time giving up the Surly as my daily rider. It's a very comfortable bike to ride and while I'll never set a land speed record riding it, it's not a lumbering slug. In my opinion speed is highly overrated when it comes to touring. It's the journey, not how fast you get there. The LHT is built to ride all day, after day, after day. And that how you should judge a touring bike. My 2 cents! bikerHen