I understand the point but isn't this really subjective? Sort of like selecting an old CJ7 or D90. Mozart over MC Hammer...

I don't know that I have ever seen a practical or rational way to define one bike frame style over another. One brake system over another, One rack style over another. I have seen bandwagon and Brand lovers but nothing conclusive as to what makes one "product" better than another. In the touring world the only things I can come up with off hand for sure are.. we covet the simple, the durable, the fixable and if we can throw in some style to boot... heck give me a splash of that too but it ain't all that important overall.

If anyone wants to play with the idea of what makes the perfect bike or defines one bike better over all to all others... I am game. Meet me at the virtual coffee shop, first cup is on me... let us break out into velo-tour-philosophy. Just know that any such effort though entertaining doesn't get us an inch further down the lane.