I am running a brooks pro. I like them better then b17s but have both.

The bike is running on xt hubs with Mavic rims and Panaracer Pasela 35c tires Dura Ace barcons Nashbar brakes, Rivendell Nitto Albatross bar, Selcrof seatpost, Alvio front der, XTR rear, cane creek s3 headset, shimano m515 pedals, LX integrated crank 48 outer ring.

This is by far the most useful and comfortable bike I have ever built up. The albatross bars from Rivendell make it so confortable and useful. Never having really used the drops very much on drop bars this is way more praticle.

It's just hard finding a frame like this and at this price forget it. What the competion? No name brands if you can even find a "touring" rig. everything right now is cyclocross with the stupid high bottom bracket. You can maybe find a used Trek 520 frame, or some old thind with 126 spacing but a real hard core touring frame? New? There's nothing out there.

I come from a very diffrent school of thought than most that de emphisises the frame and puts more weight on components that are functional and fit to the job. This frame is just perfect for getting the job done. I have had bikes that were both more prestigioius and more expensive but none that were just a joy to ride, either to the market or on an all day ride or on a tour.

Tires make more of a diffrence in ride quality than frames, likewise wheels. Spend your $ there.

FInding a rack to fit has been a little bit of a problem but I am sure that I'll come up with something. The seatstay attachement points have thusfar interfered with the v brakes. I dont think this would have been a problem with cantis.

Also having the 132.5 spacing allows me to use two sets of wheels, one for fat tires one for skinny. This is very nice.