'whimper' ... I wish I hadn't done that....

totolacoste

... I had it all sorted out. The trip's planned for next August, and I'd practically written the fax that I'd be sending to my Surly dealer to order the LHT.

Then last night, I'm lying in bed browsing the Surly brochure and my gaze falls on the Crosscheck, which they (well yeah, no one believes what they read in brochures, but still..) describe as some sort of 'army jeep' as it does everything you'd want of it. A cyclocross, apparently.

I'd never come across that term before, so I started checking around google, and then dug around on some other forums.

So the question is: can one use a cyclocross for serious touring (especially as I'll also be using it for commuting etc etc)? The frame looks a bit thicker. Does that mean a lot heavier? What about those tiny little pedals, what do they do that ordinary rat trap jobs don't? Can I load a Crosscheck up with panniers and the like? 99% of our time will be on tarmac but as wild camping is planned, the occasional 100 yard ride along a dirt path could be done, or alternatively carrying it for a minute or so. Is this possible?

And then I'm minding my own business this morning, surfing .. and what do I see ?

pornographic image -- unsuitable for children

fx: crosses legs, whimpers and nibbles lower lip...

My G-d it's beautiful ...

Five hundred euros more than a LHT. I don't care. I want one. I want one!!

Questions .. can I tour with that? Will it stand up to front and rear Arkel panniers loaded to the brim? Will it stand up to a thousand miles not just next year but the 2009 trip that we're planning from Paris to Tel Aviv and back? Will I be able to ride it for the next twenty years and not regret it?

Sheer beauty, isn't it?

Please tell me I can tour with it. Please ...

fx: plaintive sighs ...

totolacoste

*waves*

No one wanna answer me?

Eden

Yawn - over on this side of the pond its a little earlier (ok, ok I'm getting up kinda late....)

The Kona Sutra is made for adventure touring, so yeah you should be able to load it up as much as you like - heck it comes standard (at least here in the US) equipped with front and rear racks. It's a very nice steel bike and should serve you for years and years and be repairable should any unspeakable thing happen. (I had my steel Trek for almost 15 before I really realized it was too big - otherwise it was fine - and I did loaded touring on it).