Touring bike - Koga Miyata Opinions?

Supercell

I've decided after much thinking that a touring bike is best fit for my needs.

So after reading around the web I've decided that the KOGA MIYATA World Traveller 2008 is a good choice as it pushes the right buttons.

However Koga also have a self build custom site which allows you to spec up exactly what you would like in one of their bikes.
Heres one I custom built to my own spec
Does the custom one look a bit like the car that Homer Simpson built?

Does anyone have opinions on the brand or either of standard or custom bikes?

Planet X

Nice looking bikes. Have you looked at Thorn bikes?

Supercell

Planet X wrote: »

Nice looking bikes. Have you looked at Thorn bikes?

I did indeed, they have really nice bikes too and do come highly recommended. The eXp seems to be close to what I'd like.

The website is pretty daunting though and the ordering system looks very involved to me.
I cant see what i'm getting and as a novice thats really off putting.

They also seem to be more expensive than Koga too, though I really don't know enough about the gear to say thats a fair comment or not.

Planet X

www.ctc.org.uk those lads are dedicated tourers and might point you in a different direction.

Supercell

Planet X wrote: »

www.ctc.org.uk those lads are dedicated tourers and might point you in a different direction.

Ahh, thanks very much Planet X, very useful link, I'll be reading that now for the next hour or so!

Planet X

Before you go , give me a prediction on the weather tomorrow as you're big into it I see. I'm out tomorrow.
:D

Supercell

Nice morning , wet afternoon, crap all day if you are in the south of the country ..now back to reading bike stuff!

dmigsy

Both look like kickass bikes. I would want drops though.