I am not sure if this would be the bike I would choose to ride down the Continental divide or to the tip of SA but I think it would be fine if not a great bike to go cross country with an average amount of gear. They make the fork to take a low rider, you have to assume that it will take it. I think this may be a nice ride. The wheels on the lowest model seem fine as the bike goes up in cost the wheels loose spokes, the tricross sport should be fine for ratios and spoke count. I will be checking back to see what others have to say. What about the expert as a rando bike for me...any comment?