Originally Posted by
mlau
I think it's more the frame maker's intent instead of the brand.
The Miyata 1000 is a touring frame, and soaks up bumps really well...of course I have fairly weird body proportions and the weird anatomy works for me (stubby legs, longer torso).
The Swift is comfortable too (with big apples and a thudbuster), but my touring bike is a bit nicer (no need for any fancy add ons).
Yup - geometry matters. But you wrote "try a nice handmade steel frame" -
not "try a relaxed-geometry touring frame" - so that's what I responded to. And I agree that the Swift with Big Apples and a Thudbuster does not compare in ride quality to a good 700c touring bike. Both quality products - I've used them both (although I only tried the Thudbuster on another bike, not my Swift) - but, for me, I much prefer my current setup, which, as I suggested, does compare to a comfortable 700c bike - again, for me, maybe not for you.