Originally Posted by hybridbkrdr

Well, I'm now considering 26 inch wheel touring bike with front suspension so I could go everywhere. I wonder how people would look at that to see some guy with panniers go slowly on a trail while people are wizzing by at a zillion miles per hour doing their training. Anyway, I'm kind of thinking along the lines of the Soma Groove frame. But this is for a future project. My first touring bike will be with 700c wheels. If I could find a Michelin Tracker or Continental Tour Ride in 2.2 inch for 700c, then I might be more tempted to make a 29er touring bike. Even if people say 26ers are slower, it's kind of tempting still to make a touring bike with one. For whatever reason, it always seems normal to me to roll around at a pedestrian pace. I mean other bikers pass me, even women and older people. It's a little odd, haha. Apart from the Soma Groove and Surly Troll, does anyone know which 26 inch mountain frames can carry panniers for all-terrain touring?