Touring - choices?

My bike got ripped off the other day in plain view of my own eyes. Giant great journey (dark blue, front and back frames, and Japanese tags) in Columbia, SC. If anyone spots it.

What are the best touring bikes you guys and gals would suggest? Thank you for your time.

Take your pick from the big brands: Fuji, Trek, Bianchi, Jamis, Cannondale.
Small workshop frames: Surly, Gunnar, Soma
Expedition grade: Bruce Gordon BLT.

My bike got ripped off the other day in plain view of my own eyes. Giant great journey (dark blue, front and back frames, and Japanese tags) in Columbia, SC. If anyone spots it.

What are the best touring bikes you guys and gals would suggest? Thank you for your time.

Cheap but impressive touring bike: Fuji Touring (Gearing a bit too high however)

Good productions middle of the road bike: Cannondale T800. Stiff, fairly light, rugged

Sky the limit?: Gordon, Independent Fabrication, etc.

and the ever so pricey and always unavailble koga miyata from europe.

steve

Take your pick from the big brands: Fuji, Trek, Bianchi, Jamis, Cannondale.
Small workshop frames: Surly, Gunnar, Soma
Expedition grade: Bruce Gordon BLT.

Actually, Surly is a brand made for Quality Bike Parts - perhaps the largest parts wholesaler in the US. The only thing "small" about Surly is the "Image" of a small company that they try to put forward in their marketing. They are made in Taiwan. Soma is a brand name of American Cyclery, that is also made in Taiwan. Gunnar is a brand name of Waterford, and I think they are made in Wisconson.
Bruce Gordon Cycles is actually a small workshop - you can't get much smaller than ONE person. And they are made in the USA - if that makes any difference to anyone.
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
www.bgcycles.com

My bike got ripped off the other day in plain view of my own eyes. Giant great journey (dark blue, front and back frames, and Japanese tags) in Columbia, SC. If anyone spots it.

What are the best touring bikes you guys and gals would suggest? Thank you for your time.

You didn't say how much you wanted to send. Originally I was looking at a Rivendell Atlantis and a Trek 520, but the 520 is too plain and now have settled on a Mercian because it's a bit less expensive but still has that artsy flair, and it's at least as good...if not better, then the Atlantis. I you want a lessor expensive bike (as compared to the Atlantis or Mercian) but still get a lot for your money then consider the Trek 520.

Whoever's running the Surly division over at QBP have got mass produced frames dialed. No other manufacturer has the depth of range Surly offers.

And what populist details! Those guys must ride in their sleep! and have wireless enabled desk trikes they ride around the warehouse during work hours!

I like my Jamis Aurora
they are well outfitted, nicely put together steel frames, and very reasonable off the peg bike

I use as my commuter, but have taken some long day trips and (with a brooks saddle) it is comfy