Originally Posted by
crock
I rode a BG bike on a two week camping tour. For fully loaded touring (front and rear panniers) you can't beat his bikes and they come with everything you need, no $$upgrades$$$. These bikes are a good value if you want a premium bike. If you want something different than what he offers, just go elsewhere, but for the type of fully loaded camping tours he designs these bikes for, his bikes are right on the money.
I have been watching the BG "discussion" for some time and let me start by saying that you get what you pay for. there really is no point in comparing a BLT?? with a RNR or RNR-EX. They are two different bicycles!!
About 3 years ago I wanted an -EX type of bicycle but could not really afford the USD price differential so I found a fellow in Canada who is a custom bike maker bike like BG is. Discussion and discussion. He built my bike and wheels (48 spoke PW hubs on 26" sun rhyno-lite rims) and used S&S connectors on a lugged brazed frame. The thing weighs 40 pounds!!
I suspect that BG would do the same if you spent enough time talking with him and listening to his opinions (based on his success/failure experience). The customer is NOT always right but the customer pays for what they "want" - and get.
Sometimes the customer does NOT realize that they are ordering (and paying for) crap, when with more discussion and a bit more planning and a FEW more $$ they will get a really superior product.
My bicycle (built by Arvon Stacey) has stood the test of time. Components (Shumano) have failed - and sometimes catastrophically :-( Arvon's wheels and frame have NOT.
I suggest that comparing a RNR and a BLT is like comparing a Brompton and a Raleigh 20: both will get you there safely. Both have their quirks. BUT the former is certainly more sophisticated than the latter... Make no mistake about it: both should get you from A to B safely. But....
You get what you pay for. Functionality is not a part of THAT discussion :-)