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Gear Talk / Touring bicycle choices

« on: February 27, 2011, 11:06:14 pm »

Hi everyone,

No laughing allowed.  My husband and I (for the past year or more) have ridden a full suspension mountain bike, and a modified (to 21 speed) Schwinn cruiser, with a Wike trailer on one bike, and a trail-a-bike on the other (plus panniers front and rear and a 6 year old).  This year we are buying new gear.  My husband wants a tadpole recumbent trike.  I want a touring bike.  Since I will be the one towing my son, plus carrying extra gear....and I am no "light weight" at 250+ I would like 36 spoke wheels and preferably one of my favs.  What are the choices?


I have been researching for a long time and at the top of my list I have:

Surly Long Haul Trucker
Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30
Kona Sutra
Trek 520
Norco Cabot


The Trek 520 is the only one available at our local bike store.  The others which I really really want (and I know my LBS will be willing to support) are available at a shop that we couldn't bother to step foot in again.  What would be your best choice and why? 

If necessary I already have racks both front and rear.


Please help.  I am losing my mind