Touring - Cannondale Tourer US vs European

Hello all.

I am shopping around for my first off the shelf touring bike. I did contemplate a custom or buying a frame and going from there, but I'm pretty much set on buying an off the shelf model to get started with.
I have test rode a Surley LHT, a Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30, and now a Cannondale T1.

I will use the bike in the city (going to buy groceries etc) on a day to day basis, and also plan a couple of touring trips in the UK next year, followed by a tour from the north to the south of Japan in 2011.
The Cannondale seems better equipped than the other two bikes for my day to day needs, and appears well specced and reviewed for proper tours too. So I'm heavily veering towards purchasing a T1 from my LBS. Although I am aware of a thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-480786.html) here that has a good few people on the side of the T2 rather than the T1.

My conundrum is this: I am going back to the UK just before winter kicks in again this year, from Toronto, and I can't decide whether I should buy the US model (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-8TR1.html) or the European model (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/touring-classic-2009-touring-bike-ec016648). From my limited experience and knowledge, and a bit of review reading I have established that the US model has slightly better rims, spokes, tyres, saddle, seatpost and brake levers. The European model comes fitted with mudguards and Tubus front and rear racks (adding up to about $300 in value).

What do you think?

P.S. I would get some good use out of the bike here in Ontario over the summer, but substantial rides and tours will probably happen after I return to the UK...

Thanks in advance for your time and POV.

You're very wise to be looking at these cannondales. I've had a lot of bikes, and I think they're the best bikes for carrying large loads reliably, particularly if you're a larger rider or, in my case, a taller rider that needs to ride a big frame (I ride the jumbo). My 2007 T2000 is the highest quality, best-thought out complete bike I've come across. It strikes me that the two models you link two are not quite there. Road gearing on a dedicated touring bike strikes me as downright strange. I went ahead and looked at the specs of the Touring 2, and it's better.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-8TR2.html

High recommendations for this one. The one and only caveat is that there's been a lot of reported issues with brake chattering or stuttering. My bike had this when it was new, but it seems to have gone away over time? It's hypothesized that it's caused by the cantilever brakes and the aluminum fork.

Looking at the spec's.... I'd go with the T2 also. I like the fact that the small ring is a 26 over the 30 on the T1. I live and ride in hilly areas so I like the lower gearing of the T2. Get the one you want and the one that fits best. Fit is more important and almost everything when you consider the miles that you will be traveling. Good luck in your decision.

The frames look identical in geometry, so fit won't be the main issue.

what about other UK builders? They have much more of a touring interest and history in the UK. Dawes super galaxy comes to mind, and I know there are others.

Just a thought.

Hmmm. Thanks Positron for reminding me of the Dawes! There's also Hewitt a little up the road from my home city of Manchester...