My question for you is: Are you planning on doing "hardcore" touring, hauling lots of gear, or do you just want the ability to carry some stuff (rack-and-panniers kind of thing) from point A to point B?

If the latter, a cross bike might be better. I love my Charge (sadly, they changed the lineup a ton this year, so it doesn't have an equivalent that I know of). It's probably the equivalent of a Surly Crosscheck or Straggler. It's not a racer, I don't think, although I have a friend who is going to use it for that purpose. Steel frame, rack and fender mounts, designed as an all-purpose bike. I can stick a rack and fenders on it and use it as a light touring bike if I wanted to, since the geometry isn't aggressive. (In fact, that's what I want to do eventually, after I get a more "sporty" cross bike!) It is on the heavier side (22.75lb without pedals or bottle cages), though.