I wanted to add one more comment before I get off work tonight.

When on a touring bike, you need to know how to fix every little thing, and trust your life to your bike & skills. I would hate to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere because you skimped a few bucks on your wheels, or tires, or over all bike. I don’t think I would trust a $125 x-mart bike to get me from town to town, day after day.

Is your safety and life worth more then that? I would think so.