I think touring bikes are designed to put the rider a little more upright for comfort, their geometry is a little different. It may be to adjust for handling under load. They might be geared a little wider to facilitate varying terrain changes. I think a lot of touring bikes might even be made of steel as well. Primarily though, they are designed to take you and your stuff all around town, or the world. Don't take that as gospel, though. As you can tell, I'm hedging here.

Other "road" bikes (ie"race") are designed more for getting you from A to B as quickly as possible. They put the rider in a more aggressive, aerodynamic position, are generally lighter in weight.

The type of bike you use should be dictated by the type of racing you want to do. Again, many different types of racing exist, but get narrowed down to a few generalities. Open course racing (think start at A go to B) Crits, which are closed, short loop courses. And distance racing, which falls into open course, I would say.For what you are doing and want to do I would agree with your LBS and avoid the touring bike.


oops, forgot. Poke around the relevant forums here, and you'll find all the abswers you seek. Heck, even ones you don't.