Hey guys, so I am planning to do a bicycle trip across the United States next year after I graduate high school. I need a good bike to be capable of doing this. I have already gotten a Surly Long Haul Trucker 58cm 700c frame. I want to use a drop bar handlebar but I don't know much about touring bikes. I don't have really any experience in building a bicycle but I would like to build my own because then I know how it all works and I would become much more knowledgeable in repairs and such. I have my father to help me, he has ridden across the country before when he was a lot younger haha. I feel like the most challenging part will be figuring out what shifters and gear stuff and derailleurs and stuff like that to use. I have NO knowledge with that stuff. I just need help on deciding what shifters and all that stuff I should get if I would be doing heavy touring on a Surly LHT. Thank you and sorry for this wall of text haha