I am looking into getting a fixed gear touring frame.

I am looking at the iro phoenix or the surly cross check.

I know that the big complaint about the phoenix is the rear is spaced 120 but that does not bother me as it will be fixed. i would actually like the 120 spacing better then the cross checks 132.5

How will the phoenix do with touring? the crosscheck is a proven machine, but with that said, I like the idea of not going down the beaten path.

Will the iro Phoenix be stable with panniers?

When looking at the geometry of both frames they are very close in angles. also i am looking at the 54 version of both, which is my size.
both have 72 h/t and 73.5 s/t

the wheelbase and chainstay is actually a little longer on the phoenix.

but the iro phoenix has a t/t of 54cm and a s/t of 49.5cm
and the crosscheck has a t/t of 55.88cm and a s/t of 54.102cm
which is very different among the 2 frames.

what do you guys think. and just to let you know my arms are longer than normal