Originally Posted by
himespau
Eh, two people who had bad experiences (out of many many users) posting it on a forum doesn't sound that bad to me. Especially since Eugene doesn't appear to need to put any load on the fork with his current uses.
If I was looking for a new bike and had the money and could find an older shimano equipped one (touring triple crankset as opposed to the sram mountain double currently offered), I'd definitely check it out. My LBS apparently had a 2010 on that they were trying to sell all of last year, but I no longer see the list of last year's bikes on their website, so I'm guessing they sold it.
Most of what you've stated here, echoes past thoughts that once swirled about my head. Especially, the statement about the triple touring crankset. However, I wasn't thinking about the Fargo or the Vaya. I was thinking about the Surly LHT and the Ogre.
I fear we quite possibly suffered the lack of your participation, Himespau...