Sorry if this has already been asked...

My friend and I are planning on doing a coast-to-coast cross-Canada bike ride next spring/summer. I don't really have a suitable bike at the moment (3 track bikes, a BMX and a cruiser), so I have been looking for one.

I'm currently debating the pros and cons of cyclocross bikes vs. true touring bikes. I've got to the point where I think I would prefer a cyclocross in most ways, except for chainstay length. I have been informed by several people that the chainstays may be too short on a cyclocross bike and that I may hit my heels into the panniers when riding.

When comparing the geometry of the frame I have in mind (Soma Double Cross) vs. a common touring bike (trek 520), I don't see all that much difference, except for the soma having chainstays 2.5cm shorter. I have attached a chart with some touring and cross geometries for reference.

I know this is a hard question to answer, and is really on a case by case basis, but: Do you think I will hit my heels into the panniers when touring on a cross bike?

Numbers:
170mm cranks
Size 11 feet
425mm chainstays
46L cut-away panniers mounted as far back as possible


To be safe I would say my heels extend 215mm behind the pedal spindle, so during a rotation my heel would extend a total 385mm past the bb, leaving a slim 40mm between my heel and the rear axle. Surely I would hit my foot into the panniers? The trouble is that I can't really test it out before hand... Using all the same calculations the trek 520 would give me 65mm of heel clearance towards the axle, but this doesn't seem that significant given the other numbers...

If it’s hopeless I will consider buying a BoB Yak but I hate to think going across the prairies without being able to draft with my buddy properly.

Thanks for your advice!