New bike 2026: Surly Disc Tricker vs Kona Sutra

Hi all!

After 5 years on an adapted gravel bike, I’m ready to buy a dedicated touring bike for the long run. I’m planning a 5–6 month bike tour in South America in the coming years, so I want to start preparing now.

I was almost set on the Surly Disc Trucker:
https://surlybikes.com/products/disc-trucker-26-grandpas-khakis?variant=44238849179671

But when I visited my bike shop, the mechanic mentioned that the 2026 setup has a few changes worth considering: the brakes are now fully hydraulic, and the front drivetrain is now a 2x (instead of the previous 3x, I think).

That made me look at the Kona Sutra as well:
https://en-ca.konaworld.com/products/sutra-36sh

It’s about $500 cheaper and comes with a Brooks saddle and a front rack. The brakes are also hydraulic, and it’s a 2x drivetrain as well.

My questions/concerns:

• Hydraulic brakes: Am I overthinking this for long-distance touring in countries where replacing parts might be harder? In my mind, mechanical brakes seem easier to maintain on the road, but it feels like most 2026 touring bikes are moving away from them.

• Low gearing: I’d like very low gears for climbing. I’m not a strong climber, so I want a setup that will help me get up long mountain passes with a loaded bike.

• Wheel size: 26" wheels on the Surly vs 700c on the Sutra. I’ve always ridden 700c—should this factor into the decision?

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, and enjoy the riiiiide!