I have been surfing touring sites for about two weeks now trying to arm myself with the best information I can find. I'll give you some background info so that you might help steer me in the right direction.

I am looking for a loaded touring bike. I don't have any grand visions of a cross country trip at the present, but I am planning on doing some simple local overnighters and an occasional weeklong+ trip. FWIW I am 44 years old and in good physical shape, but do have joint problems with both knees and my right shoulder. I am 5'11" and 170 pounds.

So far I have focused on trying to locate the best bike for my needs. I will want a bike that is capable of going on gravel and dirt forest service roads at times, as well as one that can transport me comfortably on 75+ mile days. I am torn between drop bars vs flat bars w/bar ends vs trekking bars. I have a drop bar road bike now that is more comfortable than my mountain bike w/bar ends. I am also torn between doing a build (I have the tools and know how) and buying a ready made tourer. I don't have any kind of anatomical anamolies that would preclude me from fitting a standard geometry touring bike.

I am in an area where bicycling is not extremely popular and none of the local shops have dedicated tourers in stock. All will gladly order one if I pay for it up front. I'm willing to spend up to $1500 bucks on the bike.

Here's what I have been pondering.

I bought my girlfriend a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid that she doesn't like. I could order an inexpensive hybrid frame and transfer the parts. What should concern me about taking this this route? I realize that some of the bits from the FX are low end, but I could upgrade lots of the bits and still have money to spare. What do you think about the Bontrager 32H rims?

Bicycle Bananas has built LHT's for $899 including shipping right now, and most of the parts are of good quality. Drop bars and gravel roads make me a bit nervous, but I have never tried it. How much do you racon the LHT weighs before adding racks.

I could also buy an LHT and build it myself using whichever handlebar configuration strikes my fancy.

I like the REI Safari. I love the grip shift shifters and the rest of the components are of good quality. The bike seems heavy at nearly 32 pounds. It also has a suspension seatpost. How do you feel about a suspension seatpost to soak up road surface irregularities?

Cannondales T2000 (T1) for 2008 is very well speced for $1500+. I love Cannondale bikes and have a local dealer who would order one for me. I like the stiffness of aluminum frames, but don't know how this would play out on the long haul.

Trek has a Soho urban bike that looks like it would adapt well as a multi-surface long haul tourer.

Specialized has the Tricross Sport with full fender and rack mounts. I have heard of a fork shudder problem with these bikes and at $1300 bucks I'd think they could do better than the Sora deraillieur. Other components aren't worthy of the $1300 price tag. A cross bike in concept seems like a good fit for my needs. Surly also has a cross bike. As built though, it needs new gearing.

There are plenty of mountain bikes that have rear rack mounts and Delta makes a rack that works with front suspension. A front suspension with a lockout could serve my road/improved offroad needs well.

A part of me is of the mindset that I shouldn't worry so much about the bike, that I should find a decent bike load it up and go. Bikes of today are much better suited for touring than those people were using 20 years ago.

It looks like I will have to buy whatever bike I end up with without the benefit of a test ride. I have studied geometries closely and some of the hybrid and mountain bikes have geometries that mirror those of the dedicated tourers.

I don't have any Kona, Jamis, Rocky Mountain, or Fuji dealers around. I do like the Aluminum Rocky Mountain Sherpa and could get one mail order.

I know this is quite a bit to digest, but I'd really like to get some of your informed opinions about some of the ideas I have kicked around.

Thanks,
Paul