Hehe, thanks for all answers.... well, I have been making touring with gears many times. Its working. But in recent years my intrest for SS have grown bigger and bigger. Its not a macho thing, more a serch for simplicity, cleaness....I dont know, ..anyway, I converted my kona explosif to SS and it was just as magic as I was imagined. It makes me forget I am riding a bike, the bike becomes more of a stroll, a walk along the beach. I really like the feeling. I do understand that big hills will make my life hard but its allways a possibility to jump of the bike and walk upp the hill. I also try to carry as little luggage as possible - maximum 10 kg. (same pack as I use on my back when I am walking in the forrest. So, I will stick to SS , not to prove anything but to be moved back to my childhoods first bike, when everything was simple and easy.
But I do want a strong and really nice touringframe. Not to agressive, something in between speed and layed back. I want flat bar (like a mountainbike), I bit of a uprised position. I dont mind brazeons for racks but I dont care about them. Just looking for a really comfortable and durable frame. The Redline 925 look sweet but I dont know anything about it. The surlybikes looks nice to but I dont know what model to choose? I have red the Crosscheck is a bit to weak in the frame, dont know if its true. But I think I red its collapsable and I dont like that, I want the bike to be as clean as possible. I think I hear You saying the steamroller is more agressive than the LHT and not so comfortable,, is that correct? But surly state the steamroller is not a trackbike, more of a roadbike? Please give me more suggestions and explanations on the diffrent frames , pros and cons. For me, this is a very intresting subject. I am also looking at the Kona paddy wagon.....
About my luggage, I have a big saddlebag, 24 litres, a Carradice Camper Longflap. Under that one I have a rear luggagerack where I strap a big watertight sack with my tent and matress. On the stem is my camerabag. Thats all.
/Gustav