Originally Posted by blaise_f

Or shop used/NOS and get something really decent in the same price-point. If there's a Co-Op nearby, you could easily round up parts to make a suitable touring bike. It doesn't have to be something insane at this point - upgrades are always possible in the future. Prefer used myself . E.g.http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Suntour-Downtube-shifters-6sp-friction-index-braze-/120742489899#vi-content