Next step up bike?

[roughingit]

The two that I am looking at now (Jamis aurora and bianchi volpe) are listed as both cross and touring bikes. I think I might have narrowed it to those two, but I'm still going to keep looking for other options as well. Both of them have space for larger tires should I need them and I noticed the Bianchi already has wider tires than the road bikes (though not so wide as a mountain bike). Haven't seen the Jamis in person yet, though it looks good on paper. Both bikes have braze-ons for front and rear racks and plenty of room for fenders. They also have index shifting which seemed a little more comfy to me.

I know a mountain bike *might* be modifiable to what I want, but after the amount that I would have to spend getting everything changed out, I doubt I would save that much. Better to get what I need in the first place to me.

I think I'll take a ride to Albany today or tomorrow and see what thier bike shops are like. I'm disapointed that I couldn't try more bikes out. Or maybe I'll take a ride to Salem this weekend if this nice weather holds up... Hmmm...

Forgot to add: I have seen *one* road bike with disc brakes, but no rack mounts and *one* touring bike made by Giant with them...but quite out of my price range. I am comforted by hearing that your brakes can handle a downhill stop with trailer though. I'm quite nervous about brakes because mine are not very good at all.