Originally Posted by
BigBlueToe
I have to disagree. While I've met plenty of bike tourers on non-dedicated touring bikes, I've also met plenty with bikes that were specifically designed for touring. I think a lot of the people on non-dedicated bikes would be happy to own one. Often they already own a non-tourer and don't want to spend the money for a second bike, or don't want to hassle with selling their non-tourer in order to buy a tourer. However, I remember lots of conversations in hiker/biker sites where people were looking at someone's high-quality touring bike and asking questions, looking at it longingly, etc. I've done it myself plenty of times.
I think most people look to a touring bike as the "Perfect FIT" that addresses some to all of their riding discomfort. And tour specific bikes have good geometry and fitting options that will benefit some people for sure. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, it's okay for people to start touring on something and see where it leads them.
When I first started touring, I was on a steel mountain bike with a long wheelbase, a thin top tube and front shocks. It was, after all, a racing XC bike. But the bike would oscillate when I had too much of a load on the rear (aka fish tailing). The newer tour specific bikes ofcourse have re-inforced and thickened top tube, but not all brands. You need to know which one has or which one don't. Otherwise, you're only buying a brand name, options for a good fit and good workmanship. Something that can be attainable with less pricy and non-specific tour models.
Ofcourse, some modern aluminum frames are already stiff to begin with, which makes ideal load carrying touring bikes.