i may have read this wrong but andy blance (thorn Cycles ) reckons if it hasn't 6al tubes its rubbish.of course i could have read it wrong im pretty good at that, but its on there latest download of touring bikes.i'll try and dig it up.

http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/TH...A_BROCHURE.pdf.

take a bit of searching but he does mention TI bikes against steel built.