The centurion and the univega referenced above both look interesting; tried to pm, but am newer member so doesn't "allow" it yet.

As for clarification on what I meant by touring... I guess both descriptions above. As a native Midwesterner, did parts of ragbrai on a loaner and was fine, and for sure next season some hotel based touring is in the card. That said, I now live in the PNW-- puget sound region-- and touring very far in pretty much any direction from here will lead to some terrain far tougher than my midwestern experience, so trying to avoid under biking.