Hi,
funny how you get responses you'd never expect. The old 21 speed gearing is what I meant. My Sis rides one of my old bikes.
It just seems to go on forever. With good parts, the shifting is ok.
The chain is beefier, the rings thicker, and has fewer parts to go wrong. This is some kind of Golden Age for bikes. I am sure Beckman makes great touring bikes, but so do a dozen other companies. Some of the differences boil down to style. I'd like to see some actual innovation. Oversized bottom brackets would be a real improvement. Small companies don't have the resources.
Larger companies like Trek seem content to crank out the 520 unchanged year after year.
You didn't answer my question. If budget isn't an issue, I'd pick
a company with a good rep for touring that also works with Ti.
I'd like to see a full blown tourer made with Ti. I imagine Litespeed could do it, but a custom from them will cost a pretty penny.