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...if you're really sold on aluminum alloy frames for touring, Cannondale made touring specific aluminum bikes for a while, with longer stays and wheelbase. They also have braze on fittings for rack and fender mounting. As stated above, they are stiff and transmit a good deal of road shock. If you can get fat enough tyres on the one you choose (700x32's) they do OK.

The whole aluminum to steel thing as a frame material has been done to death here. Try a Google search on frame materials/touring bikes and limit it to Bike Forums.