Boh, I for one, won't blame you. If I were doing the Great Divide trail, I'd be riding the 920, no questions asked. It's a sweet bike and very dear to my heart. While the Thorn's have captured my fancy, I know I'll never buy one because the Trek has everything they have. Only subtle differences, really. It was my replacement frame that Trek sent when I broke the frame of my 830 ($100 upgrade, top of the line True Temper OX—I'll never part with it). But for road touring, I wanted 700c wheels, which, apparently a lot of folks don't care for, but for me is indispensable if I'm road riding. Otherwise, I'd use the Trek.

As far as defining ourselves through our possessions, I have no problem with that. These days, the only things I have that "define" me are my sailing, bikes, and art. My cars used to, but it behooves me to be incognito in this day and age.

One thing I don't get: Why do folks dis old steel? In my entire life, I've never seen a steel bike fail because of rust. Never. And I've been around the block a few times.