Originally Posted by mike

Excellent suggestion to use a late 80's or 90's vintage mountain bike like the Schwinn High Sierra IF YOU CAN FIND ONE! I have had my eyes open for them, but no luck. The mindset was still on the "light and strong" before it was discovered that all mountain bikes MUST have suspension....

As is mentioned above, a conti is heavy (except going downhill in which few bicycles are finer than the Continental). Plus, you really need a triple front gear for touring, or at least you will be glad to have one if you are going uphill and loaded with gear.