Advice / Experience with Touring Bike - Rocky Mountain Sherpa, Fuji Touring, etc

[biased bohemian]

Hi,

I am new to touring and I want to purchase a touring bike in the next several weeks for the Nothern Tier trip from NH to WA.  The local bike shop sells 3 touring models - the Fuji Touring and the Rocky Mountain Sherpa 10 or 30.  As the trip is long and I will be flying solo my primary concern is reliability.  I will be camping whenever possible.

I have seen recommendations for bikes that have a low gear setting at most 25 but these bikes all come with 30.  Also, the tire size is 32 and I have read that 35 is the recommended size.

First - does anybody have experience owning or riding these 3 bikes?  If so, please let me know what your thoughts are on quality and reliability.  Would you recommend another bike in its place?  I am willing to spend in the ballpark of $1,500.

Second - is a 30 crank and 32 tire size reasonable, or will I regret not getting the recommended 25 / 35?  I'm fine with a workout, but don't want to skimp if most people have found it worth the cost.

Most reviews are for the Trek and Surely, with some for the Jamis Aurora and Canondale.  I have seen mixed reviews for the Fuji Touring and only one extremely positive review for the Sherpa.  I can try other bikes, but I trust the bike shop and would prefer to do business through them if possible.

Thanks!!!

[CastAStone]

As for your tires, I can tell you that I'm 300+ lbs and I ride 32s, and the only time I ever change tubes is when I break the end of the presta valve off (Turns out that i'm bad at inflating tires). I literally have never popped one.

If your super worried about durability, the 35s will probably take bumps a little bit better, but 35s will slow you down. I personally do not believe they're necessary.

[staehpj1]

I think 32 is plenty wide enough for on road touring assuming a reasonably sized rider packing reasonably light.  I weigh between 190 and 210 depending on when you ask and I carry about 30 pounds including panniers.  I run 28 mm tires.  When I started touring I carried a good bit more and was still fine with 32mm tires.

You can manage a little gravel here and there, but if you plan on riding a lot of gravel roads then wider tires might be in order.

Gearing, I would be inclined to swap at least the inner ring for a 24 or 26 T or better yet just swap the crank.  You can find a Sugino 48-36-26 for under $100.  I found that was just fine for me in the Rockies on the Trans America, and just barely adequate in the Appalachians on the same trip.  That was with an 11-32 cassette.  I have since swapped the 26 for a 24.

[biased bohemian]

Thank you for the info on the gears and tires.

Has anybody ridden or owned the Fuji or Rocky Mountain Sherpa?  I am leaning towards the Sherpa.