Originally Posted by
X-LinkedRider
The Long Haul Trucker is basically the best touring bike you can get. That's what it was built for.
The LHT is definately NOT the best touring bike you can get! It is one of the better value for performance offers though.
Originally Posted by
Thasiet
Was gonna recommend the Inbred earlier but decided not to. It has long chainstays in back and beefy frame, and I've seen a number of them used for loaded touring, but it also has an extremely long top tube, with the intention that it be used with a very short stem to give twitchy, aggressive handling. The OP indicated he wants something with more relaxed handling; achieving that with an inbred could be tricky.
Fair enough, though the twitchyness can be dampened if there is going to be some luggage weight in the front.