You might give ICE a try. Their Trice "T" is their touring model and can be had with a rigid rear 26" wheel set up and much less than the GTO. I use a Trice "Q"NT-26 with the fiberglass seat and can't understand why anyone would want suspended (well I can but don't feel it's worth it), never used suspended on any bike I've ever owned over the last 45years.....at 62 I find absolutely no discomfort with the Qnt-26. Check out the ICE site and you'll find great panniers for their machines as well...good luck and good hunting...