I don’t have a Surley, but on my TransAm ride this year, I sure saw a lot of them.
Derailleur equipped touring bikes are still very popular. So are rim brakes.
On the TransAm, I talked to three people — two were married and traveling together — with Pinion drive, but I was surprised that I didn’t talk to anyone with a Rohloff.
I am five years older than you and I like my triple chainrings and 34 tooth rear sprocket, but I still pushed up some hills in Appalachia and the Ozarks.
I like my 26X2 inch tires and, though I wavered about building up some 650b wheels, I just laced up another set of new 26ers last week. The bicycle industry is certainly trying to push 26” wheels and tires aside, but at my age I suspect I will be able to stay on them as long as I want to.
I haven’t read it, but Alee Dunham of Cyclingabout.com has an ebook that compares lots of touring bikes.