Originally Posted by
utoner34
Well, I want a steel bike for when I finally persuade myself to go long way from home (across Asia etc...).
ahh. Well, going from my traveling experiences, I still would go for other options, or think about frame only and build up with parts of your choosing--especially if you are actually serious about crossing Asia. Don't know what touring experience you have, but I would absolutely go mechanical disc and lower gearing. Lower gearing simply from having to carry a fair amount of weight that comes with the type of. trips that you are dreaming of.
I'm coming from my experiences and preference for the type of bike and specific setup for these sort of trips.