pete75 wrote:I thought most touring cyclists tend to buy a frame and build a bike up using the components they want. That's what I've almost always done.
That's a very narrow and possibly elitist vision of touring cyclists, people are riding all sorts, they always have. I suspect the vast majority of bikes people tour on are pretty much as supplied by a big chain. But you can't argue it both ways, it's obviously true that you don't need a specialist bike, so it must be equally true that you can use one. Either all bikes are suitable or they're not.
My local CTC group gets all sorts of bikes out, that's as it should be, there's those still on the bikes they were riding thirty years ago and others on the latest carbon or Ti. I've never heard anyone say they don't need X bike, or that they do.
Don't take my word for it, have a look through Cycle and see what people are riding. There's CJ's bike from a couple of issues ago, a carbon disc braked gravel frame to replace his traditional steely. You could point out that people were riding around the Peak District before such bikes existed, he probably knew that.
What's your opinion on what I should do to turn it into a "modern bike" and how would it be an improvement? I'm interested to know what I'm missing out on.
I haven't for a moment suggested you should - ride what you want. Neither am I saying you're missing out on anything, only you can say that. Others will make their own decisions, for some that will be to get a bike like their mate has, nothing wrong with that either. What needed pointing out? You've answered a question that no one asked.