I've heard excellent reviews of the Cannondale tourers. I woudn't worry about the aluminum. I heard the "common wisdom" that aluminum road bikes were non-compliant and uncomfortalbe, but my aluminum Allez is very comfortable. I think aluminum is a non-issue if the bike is well designed and built. Cannondale has a good reputation for quality.

My LHT also rides better loaded than empty. On a recent tour I unloaded the bike at the campground, then rode 4 miles to a restaurant for dinner. I was suprised by how harsh the ride was and how rough the road was. I had ridden the same road an hour previously with the loaded bike and it hadn't seemed that bad. When I loaded up the bike and left the campground the next morning I noticed again how much smoother the ride was - on the same road.