I'd rather have the bike dialed in, geometry wise, for loaded touring, then when I need it to just be a road bike, with skinny tires, no racks/fenders, etc... I'll deal with the longer wheel base and slower steering. My Miyata City Liner is exactly that. It's not a 16 lbs carbon wonder, never will be. It's too heavy, even lightened up. I notice the weight before I notice the long wheel base and relaxed geometry. But then again, I have a Soma Smoothie for the in-between, as well as the carbon wonder bike.