[QUOTE=hybridbkrdr;13377009]Aren't Stronglight cranksets made by Sugino? Do you find they work well?
The best touring bike I ever owned was my first, an OLD Univega GT with 27" wheels, converted Sugino 48/36/24, barends, SR touring bars, Blackburn racks with "Performance" panniers and a Brooks. That rebuilt bike cost a couple of hundred (back then) and allowed me to circle the US with a smile (most days). The undergeared thousand dollar plus touring bikes I see everyday online are more sauce than substance. The worst bike was a,"top of the line," that was so flexible when fully loaded it was unsafe and sent me back to the garage with a torch to build my own frame. Buy something that is solid, and comfortable and will carry all your "stuff". Put your money into tough spokes and tires. (end of old farts rant)