Choosing the right componentry is important and it depends on your personality and your means. I enjoy high performance componentry, to me it adds to the enjoyment of touring. Hence, if I chose a middle of the line components, I will quickly begin to wonder if the more expensive one would perform better and end up buying both. So, for me it would be a stupid decision to go middle of the road. This is how I discovered the difference between Ultegra and Dura ace. I got a nice standard bike (with Ultegra) while I was waiting for my custom bike to be built (with Dura ace). So, I ended up riding them alternatively. The cranks flexed less, the shifting was significantly smoother and quicker, etc. So, I put Dura Ace triples on all my touring bikes, and I am reminded how much better they perform every time I get on one of the bikes (either the Ultegra or Dura Ace). So, I agree, get on with riding, but if you are like me, then get the best componentry possible, because it is nearly forever (I ride around 5,000 miles a year spread across 8 bikes). If cost is your highest consideration, choose something else. This is one of the reason forums are here, so people with different perspectives can voice their opinion and a reader can pick which paradigm to relate to.
On a side note;
Unfortunately Shimano no longer makes triples, but they do make Dura Ace bar end (showing Dura Ace is not only race componentry). So to me that suggests the the newer gear with thinner chains was not up to touring (hopefully just yet), and they will some day. Maybe just a pipe dream, but I may wish to buy another touring bike and sure would like Dura Ace.
