Bruce Gordon BLT is it worth the price?

[hawkhero]

I was checking out the BLT from Bruce Gordon. A complete bike with Shimano SLX for $1795. Mavic wheels built in-house and it comes with his front and rear racks. Compare to the Surly LHT and the REI's Novara Randonee, is $500 worth it?

[Pat Lamb]

See my rant on the other Randonee thread; with the compact double gearing, I wouldn't willingly take a load up a mountain.

I think Bruce builds good machines, and I'd have a BLT if I were four inches shorter.  I don't fit a BLT, and didn't want to spend another grand.  Oh, and take $100 off the difference if you're going to get a Tubus front rack - getting close to comparable.

My normal recommendation is to buy a production touring bike for your first tour, then decide if something can be fixed for a few thou more.  The BLT certainly is tempting!  Ultimately, though, you have to decide what's worth it.

[tsteven4]

After many touring miles on a variety of bikes including the BLT I would highly recommend the BLT, in fact if I needed a new touring bike I would just call Bruce and be done with it!  We use ours for mostly paved loaded touring, but they work great for the occasional dirt as well.  To my knowledge BLT production has been done in Japan, Petaluma, and lately Taiwan.  Ours are of the Japanese and Petaluma vintage, both work great, although the paint is much nicer on the Petaluma one.  Couldn't ask for a better rack either, the combination works great, never had a hint of shimmy at any load.  The end of the Taiwanese BLT has been announced http://www.brucegordoncycles.blogspot.com/.  Bruce may still have your size, or perhaps he will bring BLT production back to Petaluma.