Originally Posted by
Blue Motobecane
Ok, I understand and can feel the difference between a $500 and a $2000 road frame, but I don't feel the same way about a steel bike that I'm going to use to carry a rack or two and a couple of panniers. What would I gain by spending more money on the frame? Surely there's no durability issue with a Surly frame. Do you think other steel alloys feel significantly stronger? Stiffer? Do you doubt the weld quality? What would make a more expensive and "worthy" bike a better riding experience in this application?
Don't get trapped in the squeeze vortex. Most posts are based on and often include the term "I read", "I heard", "I saw a video", and so forth. Not trying to insult another poster, but just clue you into what many here feel.
Just to catch you up, the only thing that you will get out of him is that the more an item costs, the better it must be, which while sometimes true, is not always the case. And, based on one ride in a parking lot, that the long haul trucker is the worst choice in the world despite the countless documented tours taken on them. That got so bad that at one point he issued an apology about bashing them, along with a promise to stop. Which lasted about four days before the insults started again.
At any rate, you have gotten some good input on your question, and I wish you luck.