Whats the name of that mob in Harrogate? Spa cycles. That’s where I would go, although 800 might not get a whole bike.

As per above – I’d go to Spa cycles and get one of their own brand bikes. Come well rated in the touring world and seem keenly priced.

plenty drop bar/disc bikes around at that price no?

Forgot to mention, if I hadn’t a separate budget for lighting and luggage then I’d be looking at buying used for that.  Leaving hopefully enough to spec the whole setup as required for actual touring.

Potential bargains to be had https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Super-Galaxy-Disc-58cm-Road-Touring-Bike-Reynolds-631/223172281972?hash=item33f61ac674:g:rsEAAOSwNp1brMaW

The new Pinnacle is £1000 and is crazy value for money, as is the Spa in both disc and non disc guises.

Spesh have dropped the fantastic AWOL for 2019 – Sequoia weighs about the same but is much less capable off road and as a loaded tourer – a crazy decision. Nothing wrong with the Sequoia, but it’s not the bike the AWOL was.

Surly prices have gone through the roof, but the LHT/DT is a wonderful bike – frame weighs the same as a Vagabond or Croix der Fer.

Fuji make a lovely tourer for not much cash if you can find one.

Have ridden all the above apart from the Pinnacle, they’re all nice bikes.

The Spa, Surly and AWOL don’t suffer from toe overlap in smaller sizes, I believe the Pinnacle has also been designed this way.

Kona Sutra is also good value in the end of year sales but they tend to change the frame each year.

The Genesis bikes all have quite severe overlap in small sizes.

I have a 20 year old condor heritage which I occasionally ride, still one of the most comfortable bikes i have ever owned.  With big tyres it would be brilliant for canal towpaths.

I’ve been contemplating whether any of these would make a good all rounder and light tourer.

Boardman ADV, Cannondale Synapse, Specialized Diverge, Felt VR. Haven’t come to a conclusion.