I have been reading online, visiting local bike shops and talking with people about the bike(s) my son and I should get for our ride.

I need to and will be making my final decision in the next 2 weeks and would like your thoughts.

The three "finalists" are:

1. Trek 520
2. Novara Safari
3. Surly Long Haul Trucker

I thought I had decided on the Trek 520 but keep looking at the others thinking they may be the better option.

The Novara Safari is the most affordable, plus I would get about $90.00 back per bike with the REI rebate program.

One local dealer has last year's model of the Trek 520 in my size on sale for $1,000 (regularly $1,200)

Then there is the Surly LHT that everyone I have spoken to loves!

One other "kink" is the frame size. My son is about 4'10" and I'm not sure the smallest frame choices in any of these models would work.

Again, my son is 13 and we are both new to long mile touring.

All suggestions welcomed and appreciated!

If you're not opposed to riding an alloy framed bike, I can suggest a 4th that may very well suit your sons small size. Dawes Vantage!
I'm 5'3" and ride the 48cm/19" model and theres more than enough room on it for me. Theres a 43cm/17" version also.
The same bike was used by one of the guys in the bike touring club I'm with and he used his for a 1000 mile trip from Lands End to John O'Groats sometime last year and said he had no problems with it whatsoever.
The bike comes with a full set of braze ons, a fairly sturdy rear rack and mudguards. Vittoria Randonneur tyres have so far been pretty much bomb proof.
My one problem with mine was the short stem and stupidly sharp handling which I've since calmed down with a longer 110mm stem and inline seatpost. Its a wonderful ride.
Just a thought

If they're available nearby, go ride each one and pick the one you like to ride the best. I did that some time ago, and the Cannondale I went to buy at the (2nd) nearest REI turned out to be a Novara.

For your son, you might think about the 26" wheel LHT.

Otherwise, they're all good bikes, purpose built for touring. Note that the Safari is tuned for rougher roads (maybe even unpaved) than the Randonee.

Looking at the other tourists' bikes on my cross-country ride a few years back, I guess 40% were LHTs, 25% were Randonnees, 15% were 520s, and "everything else" accounted for the rest.

As I mentioned before, my GF is 5' even. When birthday present shopping for her, I looked at the Novara and came to the conclusion that she would not be able to clear the smallest size. Ended up with the 42cm LHT.

Measure his standover and compare it to the frame geometry measurements. While standover is not the only (or even the most important) measure of fit, it may eliminmate some fo the choices right off the bat.

Bought myself a 2012 Trek 520 in October, 2011 and one for my wife about a month ago. We love the bike(s). Did all sorts of research and it meets our needs well. I use it around town as well as longer road rides and we are planning on doing some CC touring in the near future. BTW, I'm not too crazy about the tires that come stock with it. Seems like I am changing flats every time I turn around, the steel wire from radial tires on the shoulders. Wish that our county did better with pickup of debris off the roadway shoulders.

I am not a big fan of the Safari and find the geometry kind of strange even for a bike designed for trekking bars.

Can't go wrong with the other two choices but I would recommend you consider a bike with a compact geometry for your son since he still is growing. If you fit him on a bike that has a horizontal TT like the LHT, he won't have much room to grow. You can usually go up a size on a bike with w/ a sloping TT since you still have stand over clearance and just go with a shorter/negative rise stem to start out with. As he grows, raise the saddle and change the stem.

Converted to a Bike Friday, this year ..20" wheels , rides like a full sized bike ,
but you can fly with it packed in a suitcase and shirk the special baggage fees.

a folding tourer might be the way to invest--- he's going to grow into a full size bike soon, and the versatility and commuter-utility and adjustability of a folder might be just the thing. It'll also give him an excuse to carry a little less weight.

I did my first MS 150 with my father at 12, and did another at 13. Great age for long distance riding! Looking forward to when my sons approach that age.

+1 And get one for yourself w/700 wheels. His will hold it's value when it's time to upsize.

On a tour of Ireland, Wales and Scotland a few years ago this was my estimate as well. Mine is a Softride World Traveler 3x7 sp. w/Rsx comps. Woefully outdated, but ok for the time.

Well...we've made our choice and it isn't one of the original "finalist". We have decided to go with the Jamis Aurora for both my son and I.
Mine is on the way and my son's will be ordered on Thursday!! Cant wait!!!!

Congrats!

I just ordered a couple of LHTs. One complete and one that I'll build up.

Awesome! Any special rides planned?

Thanks. Indeed. One of my sons is going to ride about 1700 miles through Europe. Then, maybe sooner than later, we'll head out together for a long-weekend trip. The original plan was to just get him one for his riding. Things change quickly!! I really loved the feel of the LHT.

And you?

That sounds awesome! He should have a blast and I know you'll have fun on your trips together!

As for me...a big summer ahead! My 13 year old son and I are riding cross country...and I made a promise to my son that I wouldn't shave my beard until we complete our ride. The last time I shaved was 11/23/11!
Our blog (https://www.askmeaboutmybeard.com) will be updated throughout our trip. Please follow along with us!

Keep Pedaling!

Good luck there; should be a great journey. The beard thing reminds me of players in the NHL who don't shave until the playoffs are over!!

Jamis Aurora -- Congrat on the new bikes

Thanks! We are getting really excited!! We get started in about 6 weeks!