I will continue to answer all the question I can! Price range? Not sure I guess I am flexible. I already have a Surly LHT with 26" wheels that is my touring bike. But I tend to think that it is a bit too much for unloaded rides. My current road bike is a Serrotta Colorado II ,1994 vintage built up with Campy, but it is becoming too nervous of of bike for me! Some of the fellows I ride with extol the merits of 650b, but not sure I want to go there, yet.
FWIW I do have my 1983 Schwinn Super le Tour. I have had thoughts about having some work done on the frame,ie bosses for water bottle cages, cold set the frame for an 8-9 cassette.But wonder what other frames I could/should be looking at.