New touring bike recommendations

[John Nettles]

I don't know a if wireless shifters require any special mounts or anything special compared to "regular" shifters/derailleurs but if not, you could just buy the shifters a lot cheaper than a new bike.  Plus the LHT is a noted as a fairly comfortable bike after a long day in the saddle when touring. 

Tailwinds, John

[TeresaC]

Touring friends,

Thanks so much for your input.  Now, I've ridden the Specialized Diverge and the main attraction for me is the wireless shifters--so easy on the hands.  So, this is a bike with one sprocket in the front and about 10 in the back, some of which are so tiny I would probably never use them.  Is this enough to get me over the Rocky Mountain passes? 

I very much appreciate this forum.  Thank you

[UncaBuddha]

Teresa,
More gears better! I don't know how old you are but my old knees want a really low climbing gear and not too much difference between each gear when spinning on flats. I just got a Lynskey touring bike and the low gear was a 30x34... ugh, not nearly low enough. By using a Wolftooth Roadlink, I am running a 30x42 low which is WAY better. The spacing between gears is still too high for me but I would have to put on a 3x setup to get that...

[dkoloko]

It is possible you won't often use the "tiny" gears on the back, especially with a touring load. For what you say about yourself, for touring you should have the largest gear on the rear that your bicycle will accommodate, and maybe a smaller chainwheel on front. Ask your bike shop what is the lowest gearing your bicycle will accommodate.