Another vote for Cannondale's touring bikes. Many tourists in the U.S. (unlike many or maybe most European tourists) dismiss the idea of an aluminum touring bike out of hand, but if you're not one of them and if you're looking for a lightweight touring bike capable of both sport touring and grand touring, a lot of people consider them the best choice. The stiff frame provides a confidence-inspiring ride where you can actually pedal out of the saddle on climbs without the bike wallowing around the way lightweight steel tourers do. And, of course, they're just as comfortable to ride as any long-wheelbase steel bike, just as Cannondale short-wheelbase racing bikes are as hard-riding as equivalent steel bikes.