Really? That 26x2.7" meat on the LHT, evidence that you yourself introduced, is meant for smooth, paved 'roads'. I have given you five-count'em, five-clear indicators (wheelbase, BB height, seat stay length and tire clearance, Surly's own positioning), and you call confirmation bias. You are clutching at psychological straws, because you have failed to prove your point on the actual specs of bikes.
Originally Posted by
jack k
A touring bike is a type of road bike - the geometry differences you describe tend to be common factors among touring bikes. You're trying to find evidence to fit your hypothesis, which is called confirmation bias. Bikes of yore with traditional geometry tend to be closer to what we call touring geometry today. Same thing with commuting bikes. My commuting bike, in fact, has many attributes that commuters prefer, yet it is marketed as an endurance racing bike...go figure.