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Old 05-25-16 | 07:39 AM
  #9  
andrewclaus
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,028
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From: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ

Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520

I also come from a lightweight backpacking perspective (trailname Garlic, PCT'04, CDT'07, AT'08) and a few years ago came back to bike touring on my '90s touring bike. I upgraded wheels inexpensively by shopping used bike parts in shops, Craigslist, and friends' garages ($40 total--got lucky). I carried the same weight you're planning on a 4500 mile tour a few years ago with 36/32 spoke rear/front and 25mm wide tires on 21mm rims. I was unhappy with Schwalbe Marathons on that tour--way too heavy and stiff, and now use Conti Gatorskins. I really enjoyed the light wheels and skinny tires with a light load (but I ride almost all pavement).
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