Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Well, the Gunnar is quite similar to the Sportive in geometry which puts it in the same category of also ran touring bikes.
Good loaded touring bikes are ones like
Bruce Gordon BLT,
Surly LHT,
Soma Saga,
Co-Motion Americano and Trek 520. I'd put the Cannondale touring bikes in the same category, if they were still being made.
Chainstay... 425 versus 445 (450 is the typical touring length)
Fork Rake 45 versus 50
The Grand Tour is quite close to typical loaded touring geometry.
The Sportive isn't.