Tires i use Continental top touring and had one flat tire in 8,000 miles I do rotate them every 600 miles maybe that helps but they are good sturdy tires . They cost alittle more but you will save in the long run.
Bikes and gear are a matter of preferance. and opinion. On long extended tours cheep gear doesnt hold up
the Bike I use is a trek 520 $999.00 I made changes to the stock gearing to get a lower granny and a bigger top gear. V brakes are good for slowing down and stoping with weight on the bike. I built bontregar clydsdale rims , 3 water bottle holders, a rear rack and pannieers and frount rack with pannieers gett ing ready for a tour is almost as exciteing as the tour itself. here is a pic of my gear, the stack onthe rear rack holds he tent sleeping bag and pad not much weight but looks like a big load. everything has several uses or doesnt go.
Last edited by catfish; 01-08-02 at 11:20 PM.