Originally Posted by bikingshearer

Put on a full load of panniers and camping gear, however, and these seeming vices turn into desirable features. You want a fully loaded tourer to be straight-line stable, especially on a low-speed climb on a narrow road. The lower center of gravity you get from the lower BB makes it easier to balance. The hicker-walled tubing will mean less twisting under the stress of the added weight of you gear. It may not seem like a big deal, but you will be fresher at the end of the day with the bike that little bit easier to keep upright and going in a straight line. And with a good dedicated tourer, what felt dead unloaded will feel better. It's kind of like a pick-up truck that's built to actually haul stuff - the ride is kind of harsh unloaded but actually feels better with additional weight on it because the frame and suspension were designed to handle that weight. Similarly, the touring frame is designed to handle extra weight. A bike truly designed for loaded touring comes into its own with a load on.