A typical commute for me would involve carrying a pack on the rear rack, and having the ability to put some shopping in some folded grocery panniers.

Of the 3 bikes I've done this with, all have had issues with heelstrike on the panniers.

So I've been looking a bit, and it seems like beefy touring bikes are the only ones with long enough chainstays. Do I really need to get a touring bike just to avoid heel strike? My feet are size 9 and I'm 5'7", so below average size.

The Salsa Casserole looks good - it seems to be tuned for a pleasant unloaded ride. But I can almost guarantee the 425mm chainstays would be too short. So I'd have to forgo the nice ride for something like a Long Haul Trucker or Vaya. Not that those aren't sweet bikes. They just don't seemed tuned to an occasional grocery pickup on the way home, like the Casseroll would be if the chainstays were long enough.

The Specialized Tricross looks good too, but again I would like longer chain stays!

Even with the smallest commonly available cranks, 165mm, I think the Casseroll and Tricross will have heelstrike issues, especially on flat pedals and normal shoes which is how I ride.



So, I have a two part question here. Firstly, can you think of any long chainstay road bikes that would match my criteria?

Secondly, (posting my dreambike spec here), does something like this exist?

Vertical rear dropouts and eccentric bottom bracket, 450mm or greater chain stays, rack and fender mounts, at least a rear disc brake, not a heavy tourer? The vertical dropout is for a rohloff I have built on a mtn bike, but would like to put on an everyday all weather commuter.

Thanks!