Just got a cross bike w/ S&S couplers. After a few weeks I still haven't spent any time on (paved) roads. A road bike that is comfortable when there is more than three pieces of gravel around! No white knuckes on easier (all that I've tried) MTB trails. You want to fly to Patagonia and pack your bike??

LBSs are pushing cross bikes as adventure bikes to non-racers whose eyes focus in the mid-distance. Maybe they have a point. Yeah, and if you are carrying a laptop then they'll sell ya' a cross bike as a commuter bike. Choose your poison.