Touring - Bike rec?

OK, I'm looking for a bike for

1. Commuting (about 16 miles/day)
2. occasional road rides with friends or for cross-training (I'm a mtn biker primarily)
3. lightweight touring

...in that order for frequency and priority.

So I have a list of things I want in the bike, and a bunch of possibilities. Please let me know which of these bikes you think would be best for me, or suggest other ones. Here are my demands:

* comfortable geometry and setup. I tend to get sore neck/back on longer rides.
* can fit wide tires, at least 38s, with fenders
* strong, 700cc wheels and steel frame
* attachments for racks, front and rear
* drop bars, no bar-end shifters
* long wheelbase for stability
* wide gear range
* cantilever brakes
* don't want linear (V), caliper, or disc brakes
* don't care as much about weight
* don't care about color
* don't care about # of water bottle mounts.
* can't be much over $1000.

Here are the possibilities I've found, mostly on this website.

* Novarra Randonee
* Surly Long Haul Trucker
* Trek 520
* Jamis Aurora
* Bianchi Volpe
* Masi Speciale CX
* Raleigh Sojourn
* Fuji Tourer
* Kona Sutra
* Other cyclocross bikes?
* Other road bikes?

I'm posting this here because, while I'm looking for a road (or cyclocross) bike basically, it has to stand up to some touring, at least lightweight touring, and I don't think regular roadies will be familiar with the requirements. Thanks!

Well mark off the Trek 520 because it has linear V brakes. You could switch over to canti's if you can handle the $1300 list price.

What do you mean by light touring. If you need 4 panniers you are well past light. I use 2 larger panniers and a bar bag for hostel touring and light camping (no cooking).

that's the kind of touring I'm talking about. Probably no front panniers. Maybe some day... With this being the case, should I just get a regular old road bike, as long as it has eyelets for rear racks and isn't aluminum? Or a cyclocross bike, with both of the above plus room for bigger tires? Do I really need a specialized bike like "sport touring" or whatever?

that's the kind of touring I'm talking about. Probably no front panniers. Maybe some day... With this being the case, should I just get a regular old road bike, as long as it has eyelets for rear racks and isn't aluminum? Or a cyclocross bike, with both of the above plus room for bigger tires? Do I really need a specialized bike like "sport touring" or whatever?

Don't be so quick to poopoo aluminum. Cannondale touring bikes are every bit as good as any of the steel bikes you listed and there are plenty of aluminum cross bikes out there that are pretty good too. The Cannondale may not be as compliant as a steel bike in the parking lot test but that's hardly a good test of touring bikes. Loaded they are extremely comfortable.

Front panniers should be your choice over rear ones if you are light touring. The bike handles much better...steel or aluminum;)