I have been looking at buying a Trek 520 or Surly LHT for some touring. Also considered a Rivendell, but realized it was out of my budget. I thought that maybe custom frames were out of the question, but you have turned me around with Sanner bikes. After looking at their website, I am going to work up a spread sheet with components. Once I get a close estimate of my final build, I will contact them.

First some background: I have 2 road bikes (Specialized Allez Elite and Madone 5.2) and 2 MTBs. My style of riding could be classified as a serious recreational rider for road bikes. I don't race, but I like training and riding hard as if I was preparing for competition. My first allure to cycling was a magazine I saw in the early 80s about touring on bicycles, and it struck a chord with me. I started hanging out with people who raced and the touring aspect went to the wayside. Now almost 30 years later, it is calling me again.

But I'm very new to touring and the components of touring bikes.

Paul, what is your bottom bracket? Is the spacing of the rear-dropouts at 135mm? Are touring bikes made with 130mm dropouts or is this too narrow? Did you build your wheels yourself?