Originally Posted by
ubermensch84
I have not ruled out any bikes but 2 have stood out to me maybe for the simple fact that their names seem to frequently pop up, the trek520 and the Surly Long haul Trucker. I notice the trucker originally comes as just the frame though you can purchase completed bicycles for a little less than the trek520. The Trek520 seems about ready to go aside from swapping for lower gears which can be negotiated prior to purchase and I have read a lot of seat complaints.
The LHT complete is a pretty-solid bike for the price. It's not magic. The new 520 is somewhat different than the old 520 but the 520 has very long history as being well-liked for touring. Seats are a personal thing. It doesn't make sense for bike companies to include an expensive seat for something that the end-user is likely to replace anyway.
Originally Posted by
ubermensch84
but I have several questions. If you build the bike yourself from the frame up will you end up with a superior product for the same/similar price as the trek520? I realize a flaw in this is I have no experience so I don't know what parts I prefer and w/o buying a bike to ride I am not going to gain this experience
Generally, the bicycle companies can get better prices than you can for components. More expensive might not translate to being "better". More expensive also means more expensive to replace (if things wear-out or break).
Originally Posted by
ubermensch84
I realize a flaw in this is I have no experience so I don't know what parts I prefer and w/o buying a bike to ride I am not going to gain this experience
It's a better approach to buy something decent at a reasonable price and
use the thing. It really does not make much sense spending a lot to get the "perfect"
first bike since, in a few years, your "perfect" bike won't be the same.