What do you like and why?
Seems so many options are out there for 650 and 26, but I am wanting to narrow my search to 700cc offerings. (Please keep the lid on that can of worms ) I am looking for a nice frame for light touring within the USA on paved roads.

If Surly would offer the LHT in 700cc for the 54, it would be a no brainer. As that's not the case, lets hear your thoughts. TIA

I had oneof these in 58, was a very nice frame, about 400 unless you catch it on sale:

https://ucycle.com/node/151

A lot of people like these, though the specs changed recently and I haven't seen one since, and they don't appear to be in stock:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/TopCate...34_-1_200274_N

Cannondale:

https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...9TR1-Touring-1

Personally I would buy the Bruce Gordon. If Bruce figures you should have 26" wheels that's good enough for me. He said here at one point that for larger bikes the market prefers 700c, so I don't see why he would make a 26" bike if it wasn't the sensible fit thing to do. And 26" is probably better so why not take advantage of your frame specs.

I like my Nashbar Double-Butted Aluminum Touring Frame very much, but they're out of stock at the moment. I'd also check out the usual suspects: Gunnar Grand Tour, Jamis Aurora Elite, Trek 520, Novara Safari, Fuji Touring, Cannondale Touring, Salsa Vaya, etc. I like disc brakes, so the Jamis Aurora Elite would probably be near the top of my list...

I got a Salsa Vaya frame in Apr and built it up. So far it seems like a nice bike. I haven't yet taken it out on a major tour, but I have put bags of lead shot on front and rear racks to weight it down to see how it handles with a load. So far, so good.

Cross bikes are good options for touring and are typically 700c: Surly Cross Check, Bianchi Volpe, Jamis Aurora. The Trek touring (520?) is also 700c.

I just got one, and so far I'm pretty happy with my choice, though there are a couple of things I will likely change (and what stock bike is going to perfect?). It's a nice comfortable ride, though I haven't yet ridden it very heavily loaded, just for grocery shopping.

Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 is another choice.

Unlike Bruce Gordon I like 700C wheels for road/touring bikes and our tandem which meant the Surly LHT was not in consideration for my 5' 1"-ish wife. In our neck of the woods (Vancouver BC) only Cannondale, Devinci, Opus, and Trek could be found at local bike shops in my wife's size in stock; most other locally available options couldn't be ordered in as they'd sold out for the season in her size. We both spent some quality time on the Trek and Cannondale and much preferred the ride, and braking, of the Trek which is what she ended up getting. Since the purchase we've switched the stock handlebar for a version that fit her hands better, and upgraded the saddle.

I ride a 26 year old Miyata 1000 owned since then only by me. It is by far my favourite bike and always has been. Recently I've updated it with wider drop outs, a modern drive train, bar end shifters, better brake levers, and a more appropriate shaped and sized drop bar. I'll admit to making the changes partly due to bike envy. Her bike stops faster than mine but other than that, both are pretty comparable riding machines. Updating the bike breathed new life into it - I would do this again in a heartbeat.

I ride a Surly Cross Check...Also have an LHT that I dont use because it just hauls too much stuff and I like to travel light...the CC is the perfect choice (as I am sure several others are a perfect choice as well). It can take touring hubs just fine, 700c diameter wheels and you can set the frame up in all sorts of different ways.
Keep in mind that what many talk of as "expedition" bikes, or many of the full out touring bikes, are designed to carry long term gear, not what you would term "light touring".

I often see old Trek 720s on eBay. Your size often goes pretty cheap. This is the frame the LHT was based on. The later ones (1984=1988 or so) have a useless brake braze-on for cantilever brakes that were lousy; it is in the wrong place for better brakes. Oh well. Anyway, these bikes have an awesome ride. The chainstay length is quite long, so there is a little power loss but that is more than made up for in the comfort of the ride. Good luck finding one of the right bikes for you.

And I think you can get a Cross Check with a drilled front fork now. I've toured on mine fully loaded (ie., including front rack) and except for a couple toe-overlap issues, it worked just fine.

light touring? I'd first ascertain if the rider is a light person. If they're under 150lbs then any fun riding sport touring bike that used to be ubiquitous in the 80's, but if the rider is pushing 200lbs I'd go for a heavier built bike like like the Surly Cross-Check or a Cannondale. Specialized Tri Cross would be nice for lighter rider.

If you're going over there, might as well look at the King of Mercian and Bob Jackson World Traveller, too.

van nichloas ti frame /Villiers /Thorn club tour or audex frame .Mercian.all class frames have to say i would buy the Villiers if i can find £900 .