Originally Posted by
jpescatore
All this was really just a long way of repeating the earlier poster's advice to "figure out which makes you happier, and do that."
+2.
I have never understood threads like these. What makes me happier may not make another person happier.
For example, I tour. I could have bought a custom Co-Mo or something but I went with a stock LHT and used the savings for other things. The bike is suited for what I do and, therefore, not a compromise of any substance. A Co-Mo, among other things, looks a hell of a lot nicer and is of higher quality, but buying one would not have increased my enjoyment of my activities.
On the flip side, when I needed a new road bike I went high end, custom ti from a local builder and had the bike "decorated" to my liking because that's what I like in a road bike. Custom geometry also suits my odd body geometry. That's much more important for road riding than it is for touring.