Originally Posted by
mvallejo
And just to be certain - a cross check would be able to handle me (145 lbs) + a rack, tent, and 2 full panniers? I plan to do touring/camping trips for the most part.
Yes.
My $.02 is to get regular sized front panniers to mount front or back and not mondo big rear panniers. The 11-32 cassette with 36-48 has insanely high gears and ok low gears for a young person. If you want lower consider this
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-crankset.html
$106, crank puller and pedal wrench for about $30 and you get some good low gears and a chain ring protector!
I've got a 44/30 on my CrossCheck.