CA, if he does want a disc brake touring bike he should check out the Kona Sutra. I have the '06. I believe the '08 already comes with racks on the front and the back. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it is steel and incredibly smooth and stable with a load. It's not impossible to have a touring bike with disc brakes and racks. If it has the proper eyelets I don't see why he can't put a rack on a bike with disc brakes.