bassjones

Option 1: Salsa Vaya - with 105
Option 2: Specialized AWOL Comp
Option 3: Build up an LHT Disc with essentially the same components as the AWOL, but Velocity wheels with White Industries hubs and of course, a Brooks

bikemig 

You will get a better "deal" by going off the shelf.

I'd lean towards the disc trucker complete over the other two. I like the triple crank better (110/74 bcd chain rings) than the shimano 105 (130/74 bcd) on the Vaya 2 of the compact crank on the AWOL. I think the LHT is a little better set up in general for long distance touring than the other 2. But they're all great bikes.

fietsbob

Yea 105 is Out of the road Race bike Sector , & over geared for touring With Much of a Load in your luggage

Having a Tour bike and commuting on it may be OK . If youare strong to push Big gears

You got all those in a Shop to Test Ride?



Dont need a Tour Bike to Tour with But the type works for a bunch of Uses..

mdilthey

Personally, I like the Vaya frameset best. I really like the geometry and it looks/feels a little lighter and faster than the LHT. I don't know anything about the AWOL.

Pick the frame you like best, because everything else can be changed. Also, talk to your LBS, because they may be willing to swap parts out for other parts when the bike is new, letting you get the crankset and derailleur you want rather than what's stock. Bikemig is right when he says there's a better deal to be had with a complete build, unless you spend hours on ebay looking for slightly older, slightly used parts and mix and match (a viable option).

But yeah, my 2¢ says Vaya, FWIW.



Sidenote: The LHT is a loaded touring bike. In my opinion, it's almost too overbuilt. It's a freakin' tank. If that's what you're into, that's totally fine! It's a great bike and it'll outlive cockroaches in a few thousand years. I personally find that the "light" touring bikes are built plenty tough for what I do, off and on-road touring with less than 25lbs of stuff + 160 lb me.

So, just be aware that the LHT and the Vaya and the AWOL are not interchangeable. They are very different bikes.

bradtx

bassjones, For a first touring bike I suggest one off the shelf. The Novara Safari ( Novara Safari Bike - 2015 ) is a good choice, IMHO.

Brad

PS The Novara Randonee is similar, but a drop bar version. REI sold out of the 2014s and I didn't find info yet on the 2015.

Bicycle365

Build the Surly.
1) You will have a greater familiarity with the mechanical nuances of the bike, tools you might need on tour and the ones you don't.
2) You get the gearing that suits you and your riding style.
3) You can customize the fit right out of the gate. No swapping stems, seats, handlebars etc..
4) Building a bike is fun and depending on your location this is the perfect time of year to sweep out a spot in the garage or workshop for a new project.

saddlesores

1. ever done any touring before?
2. what's your definition of "touring"?
3. intended use.....weight, distance, terrain?
4. whachagot now?

LeeG

Off the shelf but what is the load and road?

$2000 will get you bike, racks and bags.

headloss 

Option 1: Salsa Vaya If you want something for gravel and weekend long bikepacking expeditions, but primarily want an every day bike.
Option 2: Specialized AWOL Comp They make bikes? I thought they just sued other bike companies...
Option 3: Build up an LHT Disc If you want a no f'n around touring bike to ride across the country.

I currently ride a 520. Not sure if I will replace it with another 520 if/when I need to replace it. It's a 2002 model and I would like to eventually replace it with a disc brake model. If I don't buy another 520, I'll probably go with a Salsa Vaya. I just like the ride. The LHT, to me, is overkill... but I always pack light (50#) plus my 200# self and a Vaya or 520 are sufficient (and still a blast to ride unloaded).

Specialized had a steel version of the Tricross last year (and I've always been a fan of the Tricross)... I wonder if the AWOL is just a renamed steel Tricross? I haven't looked at the specs.

Of course a Brooks? Don't forget a cover for the rain. I prefer Terry. I have buns of steel, or else I'd grab a CaneCreek Thudbuster. Brooks just looks good in my opinion, but they are unnecessarily heavy and hydrophobic.

Medic Zero

.

My zwei pfennig:

I know it is cheaper to buy a complete bike, but usually I want different pedals, handlebar, and seat, and sometimes a smaller little chainring or lower geared cassette, at which point I might as well build it up myself.

catonec 

Id suggest, off the shelf for your first bike.
Over time you may switch out some components until you find your perfect setup.
Eventually you can switch out your frame to hang your favorites from.

Flog00

How about a Jamis Aurora Elite?
I have one and love it.
Reynolds 631 rides like a dream.

fietsbob

Parts at retail are more expensive than parts at Truckload whole sale ..

Consider knowing what changes you need from the Bike as Shipped To The Shop.

the shop will usually exchange parts and offer something for the ones they take off .

Since They are still New.


My Own Bikes have been torn down & reassembled Before 1st, and Between tours.

if you only have the bike for touring go heavier frame to handle the 4 pannier load ,

If you only have 1 bike and only take light load, CC & short trips , go Lighter.

gerryl

As already mentioned you aren't going to save any money by building your own. However if that isn't an issue, I would go with the bike you liked the best for whatever reason, they are all good bikes and cost about $1,500 more than I've ever spent on a bike.

jrickards

+1

kingston 

+1
I have never used it for loaded touring, but it's a pretty great off-the-shelf bike for light touring and long distance riding. I even rode a few thousand miles on the stock tires and seat before I replaced them. I would buy one again if I were in the market for a light touring bike. I might consider something different if I were planning to do a lot of loaded touring.

Doug64

IMO this is good advice. If you are new to touring, you may not have a clear idea of what will work for you. Buying a stock bike, and touring on it for awhile will give better idea of how you want to set the bike up. Even if you end changing several components after you've ridden it for awhile, it could still be less expensive than building up from a frame.

I've done it both ways and even when I thought I knew what I wanted, I still didn't get it "just right". However, it was very close!

mdilthey

An ex-girlfriend of mine got one of these. I loved it, I was super jealous.

pdlamb

+1

You could even go cheaper, like the bikesdirect tourers. The point of the first touring bike is to use it, have fun, and figure out what you want changed. You can either do an incremental change or make a big purchase, the bike just the way you like it, several years down the road.

edthesped

I'd say it depends on what you want... In the past I ended up changing a few hundred dollars worth of parts to get the bike to where I wanted. I also like to have a longer steerer tube, (I'm old and my back reminds me of my age daily). Those two items made the decision for my new bike easy, the only way to get exactly what I wanted was to build it myself. Yes, it is more expensive if you purchase all parts retail. LBS' wouldn't cut me a break on parts but offered to install them for free if I purchased from them. If you purchase on line the price is dramatically reduced. I thoroughly enjoy the build process so I chose to purchase parts on line and assemble myself, it was fun and I have an intimate knowledge of how everything on my bike functions so shouldn't be too clueless if something goes wonky on the road.

I personally agonized between the Vaya and the AWOL and ended up with the AWOL. The Vaya is sportier than the AWOL but can't take 29'er tires, though I'm not sure how much of an advantage that is at this point. I do find the AWOL to be an extremely comfortable ride and it handles like a dream when rolling, it's just not quite as spunky as the Vaya. I took it on the trail yesterday just because I could which I assume is something I wouldn't be able to do on the Vaya. If I were to do it all over again I'm still not sure whether I would go with the AWOL or the Vaya and if I ever come across a reasonably priced Vaya frameset or bike I'd jump on it.

Pictured below is my AWOL build. The tires are cheapo's from Nashbar, I'm trying to figure out if I really want to run 29'ers or 40's on the bike. Also, I realize the bar tape isn't wrapped properly. I haven't ridden drops in 20 years and I'm trying to figure out where I like the hoods, at this point I think they are a little high.

In the end I have a little over $1900.00 in the build which is in the vicinity of the LBS quoted price for an AWOL Comp and I have the components I want.

mdilthey

Nice looking bike!

bassjones

That's a real nice looking bike. If I was going to do bicycle adventure touring I'd probably get a Fargo.

edthesped

Having looked extensively at the Vaya the AWOL and the Fargo I put the Fargo at the bottom of my list as it's a little too much like a mountain bike. The Vaya was the sportiest but the AWOL appears to be able to do everything I would want from either the Fargo or th Vaya which is why I chose it. I had a really tough time deciding between the Vaya and the AWOL, (a couple of months worth of pondering), but quickly ruled the Fargo out, though I really like all of the attachment points on the Fargo.

RatMudd

Disc Trucker off the shelf. Switch out components/wheels/parts as wanted, put stock components on a beater bike or grocery getter etc.

Remember, touring bikes need extras: racks, panniers, bags, ... The list is endless. So take that into consideration. Extras can add up to thousands of dollars if buying good stuff. Or you can buy good cost efficient stuff from, say, Nashbar, for beginning, and upgrade as the years go on.

For less than $2000, go for a Surly Disc Trucker and get a Surly front rack and Tubus Cosmos rear rack, leather seat, and then get budget everything else (Nashbar panniers and bags etc). Customize the bike through the years with handlebars, hand built wheels, tires, $900 in panniers and bags, etc.

Get the stock built Surly Disc Trucker. Every part is well considered and is a great deal for the price you pay. 26 inch or 700c Trucker is a whole other thread.

alaskadude

I built a LHT this summer. I used youtube and the Zinn book. No previous experience. It was fun and worthwhile. Now when I ride, I understand what the bike is doing.