Originally Posted by
InTheRain
Plenty of good touring bikes out there... I don't think being an old, disabled vet has anything to do with a recommendation. If you are capable of riding a bike then a recommendation can start anywhere. If you liked your Randonee, you could start looking at a new one. You didn't mention a budget. ...................... For touring and commuting, I prefer steel or Ti frames... but aluminum is perfectly serviceable.
You will have to be much more specific with your criteria... It sounds like you are handy around bicycles. Maybe it's just best to start with a frame and build it up from there. Lots of options with different Surly frames.
It seems like I have been out of the bike market longer than the three years I have been gone. Looking on Craigslist and eBay leaves a lot to be desired. I am finding bikes that seem either over priced given their age and components or destined for a major project. Lots of new models out there I am not familiar with. If my budget allowed I would opt for a Surly Long Haul Trucker and go from there. They have become pretty pricey from what I see. As a DV, there is not a lot of budget to work with so I am looking at allowing a few months to put something together.
The Novara Safari, which is no longer made, with 26 inch wheels would be a great find, but I have not run across one.
Commuting seems a lot different than touring with a different set of qualities and characteristics in a bike. If someone would be kind enough to give me an idea of what type of questions to ask myself and what information to provide here it would be greatly appreciated. I am sure many of you have a ton of experience commuting. This is a new venture for me.