Rich's Tongfamily (Richtong.net add-on)

OK, after studying the market pretty carefully, here are the two bikes I would get for “have fun while traveling use”. I said two because one would be for speed and the other for rough road and touring:
h4. Ultimate Road Racing Bike
Ritchey BreakAway Bike. I still need to test ride one, but low cost, here is how I would outfit it today (it’s basically what’s on my road bike now with a few to-die-for accessories:
* Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. The best there is.
* Chris King headset. The most durable there is.
* Dura-Ace 10 gruppo for derailleurs, crankset, bottom bracket, STI levers. Haven’t tried the Dura-Ace 10, but the newest feels the coolest particularly for the cost and also with their incredibly strong bottom bracket. The new Record uses lots of carbon so will be light and brittle I fear.
* Time Monolink stem. OK, it’s expensive, but it sure is light and strong.
* Deda Newton bars. Oversized and durable but light at 205 grams
* Topolino Durango wheelset. I have these are they are so light and strong.
* Polar S720i with Power Output. Maybe only needed for training, but while expensive, gives you speed, cadence and power.
* 12-25 Cassette and 39-53 in the front. Good wide range, assuming light loads.
* USE Alien Carbon seat post. Again an old favorite and light..
* Selle Italia SLR. 135 grams and I can actually ride it comfortably for 12 hours, so I’m probably the only one.
* Veloflex Pave tires. Very smooth. AGain what I’m riding now.
h4. Touring Bike
Co-Motion Norwester Pilot. This is a S&S coupled bicycle that’s steel. It does weigh 3.85 lbs plus 0.5 for the couplers, but it is flexible enough to run a wide range XTR drive train plus Dura-Ace on top:
* Fork. Probably Woundup as they are strong and have eyelets for front racks.
* Headset. Chris King
* Deda Newton stem and bars. No reason to go to carbon fiber for the stem given the additional weight, durability is more important.
* XTR Front and rear derailleur, bottom bracket and crankset. For stength and lightness. Although the new Dura-Ace bottom bracket might be good if it can fit the XTR crankset.
* 24-34-44 compact drive crankset running 11-34 XTR cassette in the rear for the ultimate in flexibility.
* Dura-Ace STI levers
* Avid Shorty 6 or maybe even the XTR V-brakes with linear pull convertor. Depends a little on weight.
* Campagnolo hubs on Mavic CXP-33 rims, 3-cross in rear, 2-cross in front. 32 double butted 17/14/17 spokes on each
* Michelin Cyclocross Jet if it is dirt roads, otherwise Vittoria Allweather if rainy or Continental GP3000 if dry.