Originally Posted by Trocadile

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.