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I'd give him a copy of this pdf for a good and up to date round up

http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/201004_TouringBikeBuyersGuide_Schubert.pdf

I'm shopping for one at the moment and this is my current list:

Touring bikes (steel):

Jamis Aurora Elite

Salsa Vaya

Kona Sutra

REI/Novarra Randonneur

Masi Speciale Randonneur

Raleigh Sojourn

Trek 520

Fuji Touring

Soma Saga (26" wheels)

Surly LHT (26" wheels)

Cannondale Touring (aluminum)

Trek Portland (aluminum)

Comotion NW/Americano (expensive)

Road bikes (not touring specific - steel):

Salsa Casseroll

Jamis Satellite

Kona Honkey Tonk

Raleigh Port-Townsend/Clubman

Bianci Gran Fondo (Volpe or others in series)

Specialized Allez Double Steel

Masi Speciale CX

Gary Fisher/Trek Lane/Erwin (cyclo)

Soma Double Cross Frame (cyclo)

Surly Cross-check (cyclo)

The Casseroll is a great bike, perfectly suited to rando-type adventures. Not lugged, but quite nice.

What's the price range? If price is less of a worry, then the Soma Amos (get it?) might fit the bill. Go a little higher in price, and the options grow.

The Velo Orange rando frame is a bit cheaper than the Soma. I've heard good things about them.

The Raleigh Clubman (mentioned above) is also a fine looking bike. REI uses has one on the floor.

I'm probably going to end up with the Salsa Casserole for looks and light touring and take my chances with heavier loads... I want a bike that I can ride anywhere and not feel sluggish when it isn't loaded.

Freeze Thaw in State College has a Casserole on the floor, I'm not sure if anyone in Pgh does. The photo really doesn't do the bike justice.

When I called Trek-Shadyside the other week, they said they had a Trek 520 and a Kona Sutra in stock.

price range is way less than 2 grand, i'm guessing he'd prefer something between 800 and 1200

First question: cantilevers, long reach calipers, or discs? That will narrow it down a bit.

As a rando (not touring) bike, the Raleigh Clubman looks pretty good in that price range, if you can still find one.

I'd vote for the Casseroll, or the Clubman. You can build a pretty nice Casseroll for $1200, methinks (less if you have parts on hand already). I think the Clubman retails for around the upper end of that price range, too.

I seem to recall that the folks at Golden Triangle bike rental had a used Clubman for sale...might be an option for a budget fixer-upper.

At one point, REI Settler's Ridge (and I think, SSW) had the Clubmans (Clubmen?) on closeout sale. I thought about it pretty seriously.

hmmm... all good leads... thanks, i'll make some phone calls

as for brakes i don't know that there is a preference...

PS that PDF was super helpful

More info would be helpful, the ideal rando bike is very different for different riders.

Max tire width

brakes (caliper, canti, disc)

rack rear and/or front

I reviewed a Clubman in Bicycle Times #2:

http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/node/80168

Another option, Steel Wool Tweed:

http://www.dirtragmag.com/reviews/steelwool-tweed

Nice review! What other bikes were you comparing it to?

"Working together, the frame and fork create a pleasantly comfortable ride without some of the whippy-ness I’ve had with other less robust steel frames."

Bruce Gordon BLT is a nice choice as well...

http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html

I was mostly comparing it to some older steel frames I've ridden without oversize tubing, for example a mid-90's KHS, although that bike blasts over cobblestones like nothing I've ridden.

I think the Bruce Gordon we tested in Bicycle Times #10 is still hanging around, if you are tallish(over 6 feet) you are welcome to a test ride. That review hasn't made it online, just a preview: http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/content/test-now-bruce-gordon-blt

bike-pgh admins: if I'm getting too spammy I apologize.

Ha, pertinent information to a thread is better than half the posts on here (Myself being a noted contributor to such OT posts)

If looks weren't being considered, how would the LHT stand up to this grouping? I know a lot of guys around here ride with that model, but is there something better in that price range? I think they're about $1200 stock, old models usually shave a couple hundred off

It doesn't get much better than the LHT unless you want to buy a more expensive American made frame. There are two major problems with the LHT: If you require a smaller size than 56cm, you are stuck with 26" wheels. It is a dedicated touring bike and is delightful to ride loaded but a real heavy slowpoke for leisurely rides (at least, this seems to be the consensus of the internets).

Some people avoid the LHT because they want disc brakes.

"It is a dedicated touring bike and is delightful to ride loaded but a real heavy slowpoke for leisurely rides (at least, this seems to be the consensus of the internets)."

I question that "consensus". It's not that slow. I usually prefer the LHT over my skinny-tired noodle of a Pacer for "leisurely rides". The long wheelbase, low bottom bracket, and higher handlebars make it more comfortable. I think it would be a decent long distance bike with 32 mm tires and a front rando rack.

Consensus being what I've read in the adventure-cycling forums and elsewhere looking for bike-to-bike comparisons. I can't speak from my own experience since I ride a 54cm and the LHT that fits me has a different wheel size than the bikes I'd be comparing it to. I call it a consensus because it seems to be a repetitive theme in my reading (for any dedicated touring bike vs a light touring... the LHT seems to be the standard bearer since so many people are riding them).

I love love love love my LHT.

Wow. 6 years ago when I bought my Trek 520 there were maybe 15% the number of production <$1500 options that there are now for Touring/commuter type steel bikes.

That is a lot of water bottles!

Velo Orange makes a rando frame which I think looks pretty nice. http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/frames/rando.html

The reviews I've read have been positive.

I was at REI yesterday, and they have several Clubmans in stock, as well as a Novara Randonee.