Touring - Touring bike alert

First off, I have no direct association with the seller. I have owned a Torelli in the past, and to date it is the finest bike I've ridden.
That said, I came across this Torelli Gran Sasso Touring bike on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270486380839&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

If I had the money, and it was my size, I'd do all I could to snag it. If someone is in the market for a fine 56 cm steel Touring bike, this is a prime candidate.

Weird, the US eBay still has reserves? I thought everywhere had ditched them a long time ago. (I mean really, what's the point of opening bidding below the reserve...)

regardless of how nice it is, its too much bike for me... far too much.

I dont know what makes that bike a "touring bike." Short chainstay, low spoke count, low handle bars...

I dont know what makes that bike a "touring bike."

It looks like a road bike, but has rack mounts and triple chainring, that's what. The crucial question is what width tyres it takes.

I dont know what makes that bike a "touring bike." Short chainstay, low spoke count, low handle bars...

It would be a great performance tourer. I didn't count, but it looks like high spoke count wheels to me (probably 36). If camping, but going light, supported touring, or credit card touring I think it would be great. It would easily carry 25 or 30 pounds of stuff and be a joy to ride if that is the kind of ride you are looking for.

As far as the low bars some of us find them more comfortable and prefer them even on fully loaded touring bikes. I think it would probably be a joy to tour on for the right rider with the right load.

it's a road bike with rack mounts. strange.

Definitely more performance than touring, seat tube-rear tire clearance (lack there of) = short wheelbase. Still...a beauty!

wish I had the money to blow on this thing... :/