I can see we are right on track here!
Well, Let's put it this way, I bought a nice bike that lasted about 25 years (a nice Bianchi road bike). It cost more than a bike bought at Walmart, but I think in the end, I got my money's worth.
So, Z, whatever you end up getting, make sure you buy some quality stuff, try it first so you know how it will fit you well, tweak it for yourself, and just like your Triumph, get the good stuff.
The cheapest quality wise will be going with the big brands, like Giant, Trek, ... But don't count out the little guys. There are some custom brands out there that are very close in terms of pricing, yet give you something much more personalised and close to what you really want... and it will last you many, many years.
