Originally Posted by
LuckySailor
I concur. I have been researching touring bikes for the last several months, comparing components, rim brakes or disc, Rohloff or derailer, yadda yadda. It's not how much you spend on the bike. I can certainly afford the Americano with the co-pilot pkg, Rohloff hub, and pathfinder pkg. ALL the whistle and bells. But in the end, it's a bike. Plain and simple. The Disc LHT at $1500 will accomplish the same mission - get me from one side of the country to the other for thousands less. Ask yourself WHY you want to tour. If its to showcase your bike then drop the coin. If its for all the other reasons that we go on tours for, then keep it in perspective and have fun meeting new people, seeing new places, camping-the good stuff! Cheers, and ride safe!
I am glad I am not the only one who feels that way.
Another thing to consider is that you need to worry a lot less about theft and damage when you are riding $600 bike vs a $4000 bike. There is something to be said for having gear you can afford to replace on the spur of the moment if necessary. That said even though I could afford much more expensive stuff than I own, I don't see enough advantage to justify it.
Again, I am not suggesting that others should all do as I do, just giving another perspective on the issue.