I realize that this is off-topic but it is worth mentioning for future consideration.

Since bike touring often involves sending the bike either to the beginning or home from the end of a tour, it might be worth getting a bike with or having an existing one converted to use S*S couplers. While they are pricey, say $750 when the couplers and travel case are purchased, an uncoupled bike can be packed in a suitcase and travels as luggage (free) on airplanes. Uncoupled bikes also are easily packed in car trunks.

Having the bike travel with you (so you know it arrived) and learning to pack and unpack it are two unseen benefits of the couplers. In addition to saving shipping fees, you also save on LBS reassembly fees.

I have couplers on my Waterford and have taken it by plane to England and Phoenix and driven all over California with it in the truck of my car.

I haven't gotten the $750 back in saved shipping fees, but I will eventually.

Ray