Originally Posted by Doggus
sorry I didn't mention...I do not have the bike yet. I'm contemplating building up my Trek 850 or going with the tricross. I don't really want a touring bike as it's mostly gonna see commuting duty outside of the small trips we may take.
But a touring bike is an ideal commuting bike. I ride one all the time. The bikes are built for toughness, they has lots of places to mount a rack and fenders, if you need them, and the longer wheelbase makes for a smoother ride on rough roads. And, if you want to load it up for trips from overnight to multiyears, it's ready to go. I've ridden centuries, club rides and multiweek tours on my touring bikes. I've also ridden centuries on race bikes and I can tell you that the touring bikes far more comfortable and nearly as fast. The geometry of most 'cross bikes is closer to that of a race bike then a touring bike.
Before you decide at least take a look at a Trek 520, a Fuji Tour, a Cannondale T800, a Surly LHT or even a Gordon BLT. You might be surprised by at what you'll find.