Originally Posted by
MichaelW
The bike is fine and will do the job.
Dawes trekking bikes all use the old fashioned threaded headset that requires 2 large wrenches to adjust. The modern replacement system (threadless headset) can be easly adjusted with a small allen key that you would be carrying anyway. Get a bike with the new system and you can reduce your touring repair kit by a few lbs of excess metal.
I have the old system and chose to do a big tour with no headset wrenches. It was a calculated risk that paid off but it could have gone wrong.
Funny thing about those pesky old style headsets...I have tens of thousands of miles on them with no trouble, and they have been around for over 100 years. As a general rule, if you adjust them properly in the shop before you leave you can get several tours done without having to worry about them along the road.
I actually prefer the old style, much easier to adjust stem height along the road if necessary.
Aaron
