Originally Posted by
big john
I can't think of anyone I know who bought a new touring bike. I got my first touring frame cheap from a friend and scrounged up parts to assemble it. I did buy new rims and hubs and lace them myself.
The guys I toured cross country used bikes they already had. One was a beater with no name on it, one was an old Mondia which I think was an actual touring bike, and the other was a Cannondale touring bike he got used someplace.
Others I have done short tours with have used their regular road bikes, mostly cf.
That could depend on where a person lives. Where I live it's very difficult to find a good used any type of bike, not alone a mid level or better touring bike. I had a touring bike I bought used but it got wiped out when a car sideswiped me and ran, so after months of looking for another suitable used replacement I came up empty so I bought a new one. I think people buying new touring bikes is more common then you think, I loiter around on the Adventure Cyclist forum and a lot of people talk about buying a new touring bike, a lot more than those looking for used ones. Some of that may be due to the buyer wanting the latest technology especially in brakes.