Originally Posted by
surreal
the better bike for the NZ tour would clearly be the tour bike. The OP was looking at the cross bike for offroad ability. While the cross bike is better for shouldering/racing offroad, it isn't more able to go on unpaved roads than the tour bike, once you put the cross tires on the tour rig.
-rob
heartily agree- assuming you are using panniers and not a trailer. with a trailer I like a 'more like a cyclocross' kinda bike, but thats not the OP's focus.
think if you already HAD a cyclocross bike with eyelets for racks, and didnt want to have to own yet another bike for a somewhat more appropriate touring rig, then go for it.
I've done some pretty gnarly dirt offroad riding using panniers and a trek 520 ( like engineers pass in colorado)_ - but with the right tires. like those schwalbe marathon expedition tires.
also agree with using a low geared triple. -- a 20/34 for a low is what I like.
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2009 Custom TI Frame Road Bike, all 2007 Campy Record, Campy Euros Wheelset
2009 Custom TI Frame touring Bike. S&S couplers, XTR Drivetrain. LOW granny.
2009 Performance Bicycles TI (by Lynsky) road frame, 7900 DA, 7950 DA Compact Crank, Light Niobium Rim Wheels