@Squeezebox
I've read with interest about the stuff people have changed out on their touring bicycles. And I thought, "why spend the extra money?" I soon realized that I did very much the same thing, by changing brakes, shifters, cassette, tires, fenders, probably front rack/bags.

- Wow, all that was inferior at stock? You have continually used the argument that Trek engineers know better than you and most everyone else when it comes to spec'ing wheels, yet you changed all this stuff out?!?! Seriously? Do you not recognize that you are doing the very thing you were arguing against with the wheels? The Trek engineers know whats best for wheels, so naturally they also know whats best for brakes, shifters, cassette, tires, etc etc. This is downright hilarious. Oh my, this is too funny! Keep on Squeezin, Squeeze.




@Squeezebox
My guess is tourers modify their stuff more than any other group. Why is this neccessary?
Why is there so much modification of touring bicycles?

- Touring bikes lack a lot of component groupsets(or any for that matter) and so they are often spec'd a little too close to road bikes with a road triple not giving low enough gearing. Besides that change, most everything else I see if fit related(changed stem, bars, etc) to increase comfort.




@Squeezebox
So one big question is; If you go to buying a moderate frame and all the components, How far away financially are you from going to semi-custom? With the components you want and a much better quality frame?
2nd question; Is to buy a moderate bicycle like a Masi, Trek 520, or other such thing. Then send it to Bilinkey or such, for S&S install and a paint job. How far away are you from Co-motion or such and getting a better frame the stuff you want etc. from the very beginning.

- How many people are buying 520s and sending it for couplings and a new paint job?
Quick glance- a Comotion Americano with coupling and custom sizing is $4310 and thats with bar end shifters.
A Trek 520 disc is $1360. Bilenky charges $600 for coupling and itll cost $200 to powdercoat(locally) or $275 for Bilenky to match the current paint. So thats $2235 total when going with the more expensive paint match.
If you subtract $2235 from $4310, you get the cost difference. Since you couldnt manage to look this easily accessible info up, Ill go ahead and assume you also cant figure out the difference in cost. Its $2075. You are spending over $2000 less.





I really cant get over the irony that you argue Trek engineers are infallible when it comes to spec'ing wheels but you apparently know better with brakes, cassette, shifters, tires, and more.
For the umpteenth time- bike companies work to hit certain preset price points. Components(wheels being a component) are then spec'd to make that price point a reality. You changed out a bunch of components to your liking, yet not the wheels. Ha!