It's not false information. I think it's important for 'new touring cyclists' to be aware of all the options, to trial them for themselves, and then be qualified to make an educated decision of flats or clip-ins. However, popular opinion might sway them in a particular direction - the expert in their club, coffee shop banter, and of course, forums.

They both have advantages, but a myriad of factors may predispose one over another. Experience is a great teacher.

I too am looking at some options to replace my Shimano MT91s.

So far I've found a few others as options in this shoe genre:

Lake MX100, MX167
Northwave Dolomites, Gran Canion, Mission
Shimano MT53
Keen Springwater II
Pearl Izumi X-Alp variants

Some of these options are just plain, plain ugly, or too narrow for me, or too much like a basic touring shoe with a simple tread (ie no chunkies for HAB)

So far, the Gran Canion or the Mission (with a mini gaiter) looks like it will be a good balance for what I want. I like to walk onto the plane, around town for last minute gear, then ride all day/night for weeks, HAB, climb stuff, all in the one shoe.

Then, combine them with a trail gaiter like:
http://www.salomon.com/au/product/trail-gaiters-low.html
 or the Moxie Gear trekking gaiters, but I like the practicality of the Salomon gaiters over the moxies (I have a set of the Moxies) as you can put the salomons on with or without your shoes on.

Does anyone have beta on the gran canion or Mission?

Iditabike camp - humpday

http://troyszczurkowski.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/iditabike-camp-humpday-3.html

Enjoy!

I use a down vest inside a stuffsack, the backside of a pack or ortlieb bumbag, or just an outstretched arm. The less to carry the better, and using things for multiple uses is better than carrying specialised things that perform only one function.

I'm a side sleeper, so need a little cush for the ear, but 'train' so to speak, with a thin pillow at home.

I hate the noise of inflatables, feel and sound like I'm sleeping on a pack of potato chips.

Our daughter curled up with a 6" round log one night, she's hardcore

The little Exped 'cashew nut' pillow/pad inflator is a neat little thing too. It may seem dinky, but it works well to keep moisture out of the pad (more critical for cold weather use) and suffices as a pillow.

Great pics, I only wish we had scenery like that around here.

I spoke to a Shimano engineer the other day at our annual product releases, he alluded to people not being mechanically sympathetic during gear changes - ie not backing off the torque a bit to effect a smooth gear change. Edges of the gears can get worn/broken off and munched into the mechanism.

They are dead easy to service too, but I worry about those big seals letting in contaminants in harsh environments.

Light stretch, massage?

Phone stays off, packed away. For trips of less than a week, I get by with a charged Power monkey extreme battery for recharging any devices - much lighter and simpler than a dyno hub and converter. In AK the PM battery lived in my jacket pocket and stayed warm, just recharged devices in my pocket.

Don't get me wrong, I like the convenience of power on tap (the hub), it's just nice to have choices and tailor the setup for a trip.

Looks like you need to rotate your levers up and strap under the hoses.

I've got a SON 28 on the Fargo, with an e-Werk, for topping up Exposure Diablo, or the 800, or phone - one device at a time as required, no USB hub to reduce current and to keep the whole setup as simple and uncomplicated (read reliable) as possible. It needs to survive a heavy downpour and freezing overnight conditions to be reliable, and I don't want to be fussing over miles of cables and connectors.

Still deciding if I'll kit up the fat with a power system.

You can buy steerer extenders, you remove the star nut in the steerer, insert the extender much like a quill stem into the steerer, then tighten it and install your existing stem straight to the extender.

I much prefer alloy or ti bars for my expedition/bikepacking bikes. I prefer the way it can handle the loads and the crashes with maybe a slight bend, carbon just go snap.

Day 2 of ITI camp.

http://troyszczurkowski.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/tuesdays-alive-on-iditacamp.html

Yeah, some guys hired their kit and bikes, hence tended to be overloaded a bit as not being able to refine the setup. My extra was an Ortlieb bumbag that carried a days rations, a bidon, smart knife (blade, whistle and mag firestarter in one).

MSR Dromedary, the black heavyweight one, not the UL red one.

Some nice, moody countryside there!

Great reading, thanks for the report!

Day one of ITI camp.

http://troyszczurkowski.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/iditabike-camp-here-now.html

Yeah, redefines your own feelings of inadequacies on a bike.

REALLY admire the quality of this production, the scale, motion and tracking shots.

Oh, UK based. No nice beach or snow to ride on - I feel for you mate

Knards are prolly right on.

To add to the value and versatility of a ti tandem, I'd make it fat compatible.