I now have the detailed price quote for the Surly Long Haul Trucker kitted out for the ride prepared by Darrin at Bike Gallery.  Here it is.

So that’s how you turn a $500 frameset into a $3,000+ road bike.  Note that there are front and rear racks and panniers and a handlebar bag included in that amount.  Also included is a Shimano dynamo hub and converter for generating onboard power, among a couple of other add-ons.  I’ve been assured the components chosen meet my “bulletproof” standard.  Now that I know about what my biggest item of expense will be, I will begin developing a budget for the overall trip.

I’d like any comments that any of you who are road bike savvy and can read the item descriptions in the quote might have.  Please note that I have deliberately chosen flat instead of drop handlebars and am sticking with a classic road (i.e. hard) seat despite what I’ll suffer early on in the ride.  Call it penance for gaining all that weight since the 90s, eh?

Again, your recommendations, criticism, applause, whatever are urgently requested and will be very much appreciated  I’ll meet with Darrin on Thursday or Friday to confirm the order, so I need to be ready with any changes I would be persuaded to make.  Thanks in advance.

David Edgren