Touring - Burley's new loaded touring bike: Hudson

I saw this bike at my LBS and left a big drool stain on the floor. I'm not sure its worth the price though (LBS price was $2,100). What do you get on this (that matters...XTR???) that you can't get on less expensive models? Burley is a big brand name I know, but this seems more like the 1500 bikes I've seen out there to me. Thoughts?

http://www.burley.com/products/road-bikes/default.aspx?p=Hudson&i=0

Made in USA frame, Ultegra FD, XTR Rear RD, Brooks saddle, etc. I never thought of Burley as a "big brand name" but a bike building co-op in Oregon. It's a pretty sweet bike, why don't you just get one?

I don't think I'd tour on True Temper OX Platinum, and I don't much see the need for top-of-the-line everythign on a touring bike. But it does look like a nice bike - just not practical to my eye!

I don't much see the need for top-of-the-line everythign on a touring bike. But it does look like a nice bike - just not practical to my eye!

Maybe the bike store will swap some of the glitzy components for less pricey ones. Holy overkill, Batman! An XTR rear derailleur? I mean, an XT (or even an LX) would be more than adequate. (According to the guy who built my touring bike, the main difference between XT and LX components is the quality of the surface finish. Can anyone else vouche for this?)

If you decide to go for it -- and it's easy to understand why you might! -- consider substituting a crankset with a lower range. Unless you will be bombing down alpine passes at full speed, you probably won't be needing 52 at the top end very often. And the low-end has 30 teeth. Barely OK. I have never heard of anyone who has ever regretted having a 22- or 24-tooth granny gear for those long climbs...

It looks like a good bike, yes.

For that money though, I'd be tempted instead to get a Thorn Raven with the Rohloff and upgrade as I needed to. :p

$2100 seems pretty good for a bike that you can roll out of the dealer's door, put your bags on and go anywhere you wish. Looking at the spec sheet I see a bike that is designed to give many years of reliable service, even in the harshest conditions. Headlands rack and full fenders standard, great frame, top components, seems cheap to me.

...I never thought of Burley as a "big brand name" but a bike building co-op in Oregon. It's a pretty sweet bike, why don't you just get one?

I guess I meant "Premium" brand. They certainly aren't Trek or Cannondale, but something tells me you are still paying for the Burley name. I would love to buy one, but its not really the right bike for me. I got a cyclocross bike that I am altering to function as my commuting/light touring bike. I just saw this, hadn't heard anything about it and wanted to know what others think. I guess Burley did well! I still think they could have done better if they dropped some of the component specs and changed the crankset to the LX trekking crankset. Here's another question: Is the XTR the rapid rise type so your shifts are backwards?

I was talking with a Burley rep last year about my bike stuff, and he mentioned they were coming out with a touring bikes. Looks sweet.
Would like to try one of those, for what you get the price looks ok to me.

I saw that bike at a show in Jersey. It's a beautiful bicycle and the picture does not show the incredible paint job by Burley. It was heavy but a solid product all the way around. Very pretty.

Here's another question: Is the XTR the rapid rise type so your shifts are backwards?

Yep. It's also called low normal since when the cable isn't under tension it will return to low gear. Not a really great system if you ask me. I had one on a mountain bike and it was balky when it got dirt in it. Now if they would go to a low normal front, they'd have something. But I guess they don't want to copy Suntour.

Hi all, it's my first post here. I notice that it's been several months since this thread, and I was wondering if anyone has any more experience with the Burley Hudson (rides, test rides, heresay, etc.). Thanks!