Thanks Isla , I am dreaming of a transam....... And was indecisive whether to use my tricross sport or buy a new Long haul trucker or similar steel famed bike. You have helped make up my mind. I will use the tricross. Maybe a new Brooke's saddle and some touring pedals. Currently use spd's, but like the option of clip in one side and flat on the other. And a bar end mirror. Oh and a front rack and panniers for the light stuff. Jings.... The list is never ending!
My touring issues with the Tricross have been these : The stock rear wheel was never strong enough for me, a tent and two panniers and on one short tour, spokes went and the wheel was ruined. I upgraded to a 36 spoke open pro that has lasted well but the rim really is too narrow for any tyre over 25mm. So my advice would be at least to upgrade the rear wheel with something hand built and with 36 spokes . Try Rose for excellent, cheap, hand built wheels
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/
The lugs for the panniers, one popped out and I now use a P clip. Changed the stem to something more upright. Makes me wonder when the others will pop out , something you wont get on a purpose built tourer.
The gearing ? I thought a road triple would be fine for the mountains but fully loaded I struggled. I have dropped the inner ring to a 26T on the Tricross and could go further .My new tourer has an inner of 22T , below 20 gear inches on Sheldons calculator
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ means spinning rather than pushing in my case at least.
The bike is highly stealable simply because it doesnt look like a ragged old tourer, it looks good This guy had his nicked on tour
http://www.thecycleguy.com/2012/01/specialized-tricross-repair-rebuild.html . I cover the decals up with electrical tape on tour to make it look a bit more bland but it does get a lot of attention.
I used to be quite cynical of people praising its attributes, however there is little left of my original Tricross.