Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 2
From: Canada/604
Bikes: Giant Defy with Dura Ace group, & Ksyrium SL's,Specialized Allez Shimano mixed/mashed,2011 Opus Sentiero,2008 Kona Jake the Snake,Custom built track/fixed,Stumpy Hartail,Kuwahara/ET bike.
Not sure if the Crux would be pannier friendly either.
The price is what made me think twice too.
Kona JTS is a great bike, I've done a few 60+kms rides on it, while not fully loaded, it was quite comfortable.
Now that I have proper road bikes, I do my long rides on them.
Surly Crosscheck is nice, but you mentioned disc brakes...
The new Surly Straggler might fit the bill, its basically a crosscheck with disc brakes.