I have a runners up list, help me choose a touring bike please!

[Koral_Reef]

Hello,

The last time I sat on a bike was... hmm, perhaps a decade ago. And I'm only 21. I've been doing a lot of backpacking, and realized that rather than carrying everything on my back and knees, I could cover more ground with less backpain using - A BIKE!

So I began to research something called bikepacking. Long story short, I've saved up some money, and made somewhat of a runner's up list of bikes. Also, I currently live in France, so a lot of U.S. bikes aren't accessible here. Some UK websites do deliver to France though.

I would really appreciate it if you guys can help me out.

First, my requirements:
- External gears. I know they get dirtier quicker, but also easier to repair and maintain, right?
- Non-disc brakes. Same as before, I understand that disc brakes are very difficult to repair if broken.
- Wide enough tyres that I can go off-road a little (or a lot) when need be. A lot of touring bikes seem to be exlusively made for roads.
- Steel frame. I've read about how shatter-prone carbon can be, and how aluminium, while lighter, doesn't fare too well with a lot of stuff being affixed to it (e.g. paniers). I think steel wins on durability, and I don't mind it being a bit heavier.
- Needs to be comfortable. I will mostly be sitting upright over long distances.
- Plenty of attachment points

So with that in mind, I came up with a list:
- Ridgeback Voyage (sold in the UK, can be delivered to France)
- VSF Fahrradmanufaktur V-100 (sold in France)
- VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-800 (can't seem to find this one being sold)
- Surly Ogre (seems impossible to find in Europe at all!)

What do you guys think? Am I on the right track for what I want to do with a bike, and which of these (or maybe another one altogether) should I go for? I do have a budget limit of about 1000 euros, although I can always save a little more money. If I can find something of good quality for less, all the better!

Thanks for any help!

p.s. we don't have any bikes at all in our house, and the used bike market around here is, well, somewhat scarce.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Not really my bag so I can't comment on the bikes you've short-listed.

Firstly, these websites should provide you with more useful information than I can:
- Ultralight Bicycle Touring
- Ultracycling
- End To End On Two Wheels

As to your requirements:
- I wouldn't dismiss hub gears outright: bullet-proof reliability and protected from the elements and crash damage.
- Disc brakes are better able to cope with poor roads/off-road conditions and aren't affected if you buckle a wheel; I wouldn't know about repairs (don't forget there are cable as well as hydraulic versions) but certainly bike shops in the back of beyond are more likely to stock rim brake spares.
- Wider tyres will be more comfortable too; MTB size wheels and tyres are also more commonly available in rural parts.
- People will argue the toss over which material is the most durable and comfortable (personally, I'd say steel) but what is certain, is that if your frame fails then any back street mechanic with a welder can repair steel; the same can't be said for aluminium or carbon.
- As mentioned wide tyres and a steel frame will both contribute to your comfort. I would also chose a leather saddle and dropped or butterfly handlebars: leather moulds to the shape of your backside over time and the bars offer a wider variety of hand positions than a straight pair, which will relieve fatigue.
- You'll want braze-on fittings for mudguards, a rear rack and two drinks bottles as a minimum; you might also want them for a front rack and a third bottle.

I hope at least some of this is of use.