Touring bike

I've been dieting and, as a way to reward myself, thinking about buying myself a new touring bike for next spring. I always liked touring bikes years ago, but when I got my most recent bike, I decided to get a mountain bike, since I'd never had one and it seemed like they were very popular. I like my current bike, but its a bit squirrely: the center of gravity is a bit too far forward, which makes it very nimble, but also likely to pitch you off if you don't watch it every second. What I want is a bike that wants to go straight: a touring bike.

Everyone says that touring bikes have gone out of style and that they have the last of the "real" touring bikes. But it turns out that everyone makes one: Fuji, Trek, Cannondale, Jamis, Kona... I've been looking at the small, custom shops in particular: Co-Motion, Rivendell, Surly, and Independent Fabrications. I've basically come down to trying to decide if I want to go the complete custom route with Independent Fabrications -- a local (well, Somerville) business -- or to buy a Surly, which isn't local, but is craft-made in the US and very well respected. I've asked my bicycling friends for input to help make the decision.

It's fun to dream about getting a new bike -- it helps me stay motivated.