Originally Posted by
wheelinthai
Think of touring bike as a mini pickup. While the CX bike is like a SUV. The pickup has leaf spring axle suspension for carrying load, while the SUV has independent 4 wheels suspension. Agility and speed is CX bike forte, but the true touring bike will pull you through with the weight of tent, kitchen sink and groceries, without a blink.
Another perspective here:
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/questio...2152033AAV9FjO
Touring bikes will often have a more relaxed geometry. That also helps with "heel strike" by keeping panniers a bit further back. So if I were riding extended periods with a load, I would look more to a touring bike. If I were looking at going fast, and quick cornering with some off-road ruggedness, I would look more to a cyclocross bike.