Originally Posted by
Jonathandavid
....Riding an old bike is cheaper and will tell you something about what you want, what your style is. This will help you pick a top-quality bike in the future.
Yes, or you may just discover that the old bike is just fine for touring, as I did with my older mtb. As others have said, Alex, your number 1 priority should be how the bike fits you. You've got to ride them to find out. Buying something online without having ever ridden it is risky. There is only so much adjusting that can be done, and if it still doesn't fit right, you're stuck.
And when looking, don't limit yourself to "touring" bikes. There are bikes out there labeled as "city" bikes or "commuters" that work great as touring bikes. My gf bought a Novara Buzz V from REI that is sold as an "urban" bike, and it works great for touring. Steel frame, 36-spoke wheels, mtb gearing, and an identical chainstay length as the Safari in her size. Best of all, it was much cheaper than the Safari ($600 cheaper - closeout sale).