The 2018 models are coming into stock so if you hold on for a bit Evans will probably have a better selection.

About this time last year I was in the market for a new touring bike and eventually bought a 2017 Ridgeback Expedition, straight bars, 26in/36spoke wheels, steel, hydraulic disc brakes. I bought it here in Dublin from a LBS rather than online as the cash price wasn't that much more and included 2 years free service, I also got to take it for loaded run for a couple of hours before committing. Had a brief look at their 2018 model and I don't see any major change. I've done a couple of 2 week tours since getting it and I'm happy with it after getting used to the discs, it is however quite heavy.

My previous 'touring bike' was a Specialized Sirrus which did fine but after a bad fall off it on a wet downhill I was looking for something more solid with better brakes. BTW I converted the Sirrus to butterfly bars for one trip and it worked fine so I'm sure this is a cheap conversion that can be done with any straight bar bike and I'm thinking of trying it with the Expedition.