I ditched my road bike in favour of a lightweight crosser for using for long rides, light touring and commuting. Looked at Konas, genesis etc. but all a bit beefy and fairly average frames. Managed to get a 2008 Cannondale CAAD9 for £1k (about £250 off) still seen a few kicking about – its a great quality frame, 105 gears and carbon fork… rides light as a road bike but takes a beating, I think it is actually faster than my road bike as you dont have to slow and avoid as much rough stuff/potholes, weighs about the same.
It lacks top rack mounts as it has a wishbone rear end, a £4 m-part seatclamp with rackmount integrated sorted it. plenty of room for full guards and a bargain half price madison stainless rack from petra cycles – bobs you uncle, a nice tourer – lighter and more lively than almost any other crosser/audax/tourer I have seen.