Thanks for all the input. I will hold off on buying until I can test the CC and will shop around more in the meantime. I am learning alot in this process.

Right now I am feeling that this kinda comes down to whether I want a bike that is made more for speed but can handle a bigger load, bigger tires etc OR if I want a touring bike that is made more for handling a big load but can also be used for my 'fast-ish' loops out in the county.

In the short term I got bar ends to make my cheapo commuter more ridable.