Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,779
Likes: 1,747
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
The tires alone could be the biggest determinant of the bike's sprightliness, might there also be thorn-resisting tubes or tire liners in the tires?
Generally speaking, touring bikes just don't get up and go quite like racing bikes, though the length of the chainstays can vary quite a bit among touring bikes and some (like my Centurion Pro Tour) behave just like a regular road bike.