Originally Posted by big john

I can't think of anyone I know who bought a new touring bike. I got my first touring frame cheap from a friend and scrounged up parts to assemble it. I did buy new rims and hubs and lace them myself.
The guys I toured cross country used bikes they already had. One was a beater with no name on it, one was an old Mondia which I think was an actual touring bike, and the other was a Cannondale touring bike he got used someplace.
Others I have done short tours with have used their regular road bikes, mostly cf.