++ 100 there . Pick the shop first then the bike brand amongst the lines they sell. Trek's 520 is still their good steel touring Bike.

You may be OK with the Bikes Direct stuff when you are more knowledgeable , since they have no Local Dealers to back you Up.


A wider tire has More volume at a lower Pressure , but if you want to Tour on a road race Bike , fine .. People have done that too..