The tubing definitely sounds nicer than the Raligh but 16 1/8" chainstays!!

Yikes, that's only 41cm, which in my book is racing bike short. The rider's shoe size, pedal/cleat set up, rear rack and pannier set up will all have an impact. But still, I'm betting that heel strike will be an issue with stays that short.

Could somebody verify the chainstay length with a tape measure. I generally measure from center of the crank to the axle.