What kind of bike/frame do I need?

they mean the wheel goes back in the same place each time you put it back in again so you’re not having to re-centre the disc calliper repeatedly.

repeatedly?
i've never had to re-centre my callipers after taking a wheel out on a qr bike.

maybe i've just been lucky though?

You’re not a BB7 user then I assume?

nope.

trp hy/rds
trp hylex
various shimano hydros

never had an issue as far as i can recall

my hardtail mtb has thru axles - i guess thru axles make more of a difference on suspension forks as the legs flex a bit more?
but for disc road / rigid forks then i don't think it needs to be a deciding factor.

100% agree it does open up more options on frame choice though, i just don't think it's that big of a deal that it should be the deciding factor.
not worth limiting yourself on choice of frame over switching out some endcaps or not.

actually after reading the first post again, i'd say more of a limiting factor on frame choice would be post mount / flat mount for the callipers if they were to be re-used.

triban rc520 looks to have post mount hy/rd callipers?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-520-disc-brake-blue/_/R-p-308072

disc brakes but quick release drop-outs and 135mm rear spacing, rack and mudguard mounts, maybe more traditional geometry rather than sloping top tube, 1 1/8 non-tapered steerer forks. It'll mainly be used for touring, but I'd like it to not be an absolute tank

Didn't tonnes of bikes used to fit this description? My Pass Hunter does. Now they'll all be Thru Axle, tapered, flat mount, etc etc. So second hand for sure.

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It does, so yeah, would need to be post mount. But I think you can get flat mount callipers for those brakes as well.

It's the wheels that are my main concern as they're nice and I'd want to swap them over.

Yeah, that would do it. Nice.

yes you can, but you're probably looking at over £100 for a set, but you'd probably get half of that back for the post mount ones if you sold them on

I'd probably keep them, depending on what I do with the Triban frame. Thinking about turning it into a gravel bike, but it depends on whether or not I can be arsed.

A few considerations:

QR 135 vs Thru 142 is a negligible difference for almost all riding. Don't sweat this decision. Pick the frame that has the other features you want, and then sort the dropouts/hub situation. QR wins the quick/repeated wheel removal for flat changes game. A check in that column for a touring bike as fas as I'm concerned. (Thru makes more sense for front wheels and suspension forks. It can help "unify" the wheel/fork unit and decrease flex on bikes with wide. Narrow tires, no issue)

Post mount/IS tabs/flat mount: post vs IS hardly an issue since adapters exist just for this. There also exist adapters to fit post mount calipers to flat mount frames and forks. I have some that I got to fit BB7(gasp!) to a flat mount frame.

So, find the frame that satisfies the fit, material, and features like eyelets and mounts, then work to sort the compatibility. Bitex almost certainly has endcaps to convert your hubs to through axle if desired.

Excellent. Thanks for those considerations.

I think the Surly Preamble hits all your criteria if you're looking for new not second hand

Get a frame you like the look of and fits you, the rest is pure hokum.

Get your wheels converted to thru axle. You need end caps for the front and a new axle for the rear. Ask the wheelbuider, he'll know where to source everything. You'll struggle to find non tapered steerer if the fork is carbon.
I'd go for a Ritchey road logic, but it may not be tourer enough for some.

I'd go for a Ritchey Outback.

Plenty of food for thought and a good range of options, from the highly reasonable to the beyond my budget but veh nice. Also good to know it'll be possible to change my wheels to thru axle if needs be.

Thanks all.

Bikemonger are selling off Salsa Vaya framesets on the cheap at the mo, would recommend. Not very traditional though. Otherwise get a Thorn Audax and stick a Surly fork on it

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This is pretty cool, but there are some Thorn forks that look a bit better because of the rake IMO

None with QR and disc mounts at the right length unfortunately

Won't a steel frame with discs be heavier than an aluminium one?
The idea of pushing a 25/26lb weight up the hills fills me with dread.
I sold my Surly crosscheck for that reason and that didn't even have discs on it!

Carbon frame, rim brakes, clearance for 700x35. Any suggestions?

cx frames such as focus mares, ridley x-night, etc.

Just the kind of thread I need.

I'm looking for a flat bar touring bike, leaning towards MTB geo for something more upright and sedentary. I've got a 650b dynamo QR disc wheelset that I'd like to reuse if possible.

Velo Orange Piolet, Stooge Rambler and Ritchey Ascent have all come up in my searches, but wondering if anyone else has any ideas?

Soma Wolverine makes a good flat bar tourer. I think the type B frameset is the QR version