Personally, I'd ignore the brand name and look for the type of steel. For centuries, I'd go for 531 Reynolds tubing or similar quality. make sure it has eyelets for fenders. Read a lot of "Bicycle Quarterly" http://www.bikequarterly.com/vbqindex.html and the BQ blog: http://janheine.wordpress.com/ I also enjoy "the Lazy Randonneur" for ideas too: http://www.thelazyrandonneur.com/

I use a Gazelle Champion Mondial semirace I picked up for 75 bucks for long distance trips. She has original plastic fenders & flimsy aluminum rack, very light. I had always thought Gazelle was mostly city bikes but was very pleasantly surprised by this one. Glad I gave it a try.