I've searched the threads and it seems that the sports touring bicycle is the Rodney Dangerfield of bikes; they just don't get a lot of respect. There are long threads on touring bikes and racing bikes but not on these classic in between bikes.
There are only 2 rules. The first is that the bike should have long reach brakes. Of course back in the day, long reach brakes were just called standard reach brakes,
. Still bikes with cantilevers (mainly touring and cross bikes) and short reach (39-49 mm) brakes need not apply; they have their own threads. The second is that the bike should have eyelets front and rear too (otherwise it's just a racing bike).
Sports touring bikes were designed to be in-betweeners but they're sweet bikes that can take a 28 or even a 32c tire. They'll work fine for light touring and fast day rides. They make good randonnee bikes. And they get no respect.
This is mine. It's a 1984 Trek 610; I bought the frame (and headset) from a fellow BF member and built the bike from my parts bin. The bike rides great with 700 x 30c tires:
