It sounds like he is recommending the Long Haul Trucker... a very popular bike. IMO you may really want a cyclocross type bike more than a touring bike. Check out the Surly Cross Check or Salsa Chili con Crosso. I think the cross frame will tend to have a little shorter wheelbase and perhaps a higher bottom bracket. Both types of bikes can usually handle fenders and racks but the touring frame is designed to be fully loaded and not so with the cross frame. You can gear a cross bike any way you want and there are lots of cool choices in that type of bike. I'm sure someone will post a more thorough explanation of the frame differences soon.

Oh, you can put wide tires on a cross bike just as easily as a tourer. And with skinny tires (25s or 28s) you will not be much slower than on your Madone, if any.

And finally, you can go to the Surly website and view the geometries of the Cross Check and LHT and get some specific answers to your questions, at least with respect to the Surly brand.