I got a Jamis Aurora Elite, this past May. My commute is 50 miles, round trip and this is a very comfy ride. I haven't loaded it for touring, yet, but I've hauled home loads of groceries.

I don't see the disc brakes as a huge advantage, for me, anyway. I've doubted my decision about that. They're cool as hell, but probably unneeded, on the dry-climated plains of North Texas.

The one suggestion I make is look at the past year models. Mine is a 2010 and since I ordered it in May of 1013, it was almost half-price. I ordered the 2010 because it had more of the features that I wanted than the newer ones. The price break was just a bonus. Your local Jamis dealer can log into the Jamis warehouse inventory and tell you if they have the year you want, in your size.