Decision between road bike, cyclocross or old tourer for Edinburgh to Istanbul

[Baxx]

In a month or so I'll be setting off from Edinburgh with return flights from Istanbul 30 days later. I'm struggling to choose between the Kona Honkey Tonk (2010) the Focus Mares AX 3.0 Tiagra (2011) and the Specialized Tricross (2010).


My primary concern is the lack of 'Granny gear' on both the Kona and focus. Also whether or not the Kona is even suitable for a long tour as it is a road bike. I've also heard that the Tricross can really rattle and may be uncomfortable on long tours. If I can't decide I'll probably default to an old Claud Butler Dalesman thats been kicking around.

Anyone able to recommend either of these bikes or have any experience of touring on the Danube?

I'd really appreciate any advice as I need to make my mind up pretty soon.

Cheers

 

[dan_bo]

Get a crosser, so that when you get bored of doing 19 hour rides ('cos its good at that as well) you can go and do some proper sport and race cyclocross

 

[cloggsy]

I'd opt for the CX I think... Roads here are bad enough, over the water they're awful in places and the CX will be more robust than the road bike IMHO.

 

[PpPete]

Me - I'd go with the Dalesman. Not because of the old fallacy about it being steel and any village blacksmith can repair it, more because it's all old technology kit on it that is a) reliable b) easy to get hold of compatible bits almost anywhere.

But steel is comfy too.