How does one choose a new steed in these modern times?

[Tootyred]

Cheers for all your thoughts. I will work my way through them.

 

[bold stelvis]

I suspect I have similar bike tastes to you @Tootyred and went through a similar exercise before just going retro anyway

the other maker that appealed to me was Brother cycles - I like their slightly alt approach to some of their bikes (eg mr wooden)

 

[bold stelvis]

an early 2000s salsa caseroll was on up on ebay last week - kinda kicking myself for not bidding on it. Think that would be about perfect for a comfortable roadie with some mild gravel pretensions