ok then, the answer from my part, hope others help too,
1) budget is ok, go for a long haul touring bike, try steel or aluminium, include front & back racks and front & back panniers, in your final cost
2)
3) a)get one of those BIG folding USA maps, extend it completely and plan your route in terms of miles per day, AVOID HIGHWAYS and try to travel in a straight line (coast to coast) through the country whenever posible
b) get route elevation profiles with GOOGLE EARTH
4) for a trip of that length, YES
5) a) (per bike) 5 or 7 tubes + repair kit and extra patches too, 1 or 2 extra tyres, 10 spokes (front and back wheel, normal & drive side), chain link, padlocks and cadenas, small size grease & oil, multipurpose cycling allen key wrench
b) small tent, small sleeping bag, small inflatable matress, big plastic to put under your tent (should cover all the surface (acts like a natural barrier against a wet ground for example), flashlight and ipod
c) camping stove and pots, to decide which one: checkout availability of fuel or gas along the USA
d) clothing: anything that is not bulky and anything that dries easily, (type of clothing you may find on Outdoor/Trekking/Mountaineering stores)
e) shoes & pedals: mountain bike SPD shoes with double purpose pedals (SPD on one side and normal platform on the other side)
f) your MAP, check the route EVERYDAY on arrival and on departure, make notes on the map, double check the route with locals(native people
g)Cell/Mobile phone, maybe buy one in the USA, for example PREPAID, and keep it with a reasonable money charge all the time
h)small size detergent to wash your clothing every now and then
6) (bring your picture camera and enough memory cards)
7) big cities, unsafe camping sites, highways, unsafe roads, too long distances per day, too short distances per day
8) enough money for refueling on a regular basis: food supplies, hostelling and the occasional motel/hotel room,
We are talking of 3000 + miles, it will take you 2 to 3 months to complete i estimate.
Equipment is pretty standard, be it a world tour or a 3 weeks touring holiday, except for the camping stuff: it is obviously much eaiser without it. If you can be sure of having accomodation on every stop (and the money to pay for it) you can go without it,
