I use an 86 Schwinn Passage for touring......
It's brutally simple and reliable, with downtube shifters and 27" Tires and Schraeder valve tubes, so I can get a tire or tube at Western Auto if I have to.
Oh yeah, it's easier to do field expedient repairs and if I have to, I can pretty much use any old part bin dérailleur if necessary to get a replacement in backwoods USA. I can also get chains or whatever at Walmart in a pinch Universal cable kits at Box Stores work well too.