The Miyata 1000 has proprietry tubing made by Miyata and is Triple butted ....
if you were to have a custom frame build with similar specced tubing, expect to pay well over $3000 USD for just the frame
if I compare it to my previous touring bike (a Surly LHT), the Miyata is a much faster bike and even with heavy loaded panniers, it handles superbly and you always feel that you are riding a race bike
It can fit 38mm tyres with mudguards, has 3 waterbottles, and you can fit front and rear racks etc .... it has 7 layers of paint etc etc
Thanks. Yes, that is my experience as well. Modern touring frames in classic design and in "an affordable price range" are often much heavier than the vintage frames. Especially if you can find a vintage cyclocross or randonneur frame. This is one of the reasons I am investigating vintage touring bikes.