Hey Folks,  Hope your world is well.

I'm in the market for solid advice; opinions supported by logic and/or experience that will help guide me towards choosing a touring bike, so I can get on with it, and ride. 

What I want is to start touring CO's mountain roads; mostly paved, some dirt and gravel.  I intend to climb a lot of passes, cruise down a lot of hills and spend all nights outside.  I've been searching for a bike for a couple weeks and my head is swimming with all sorts of new data --brakes, gears, saddles, bars, geometry, kinds of steel and most important the frame and fork.  I get that I can upgrade gear as I go along, what I need now is some experienced bikepackers guidance on frames.  This is what I've checked out so far:

Bianchi Volpe - No go!
REI's Navara - Not interested
Jamis Aurora - Sweet ride, low price point.
Surly Long Hual Trucker- All the rave, not sold.

I loved the Jamis from the moment I took my first spin; the size is perfect, it rides smoothly and handles well...but was not loaded.  The Surly road like a tank but not comparable in comfort to the Jamis.  Also not loaded, however had front and back Surly racks with empty panniers. 

I'm stuck!  Aren't I suppose to jump on the bike that offers the best fit and ride?  I hesitate for the following reasons: 1. Everyone, everywhere is in love with Surly and as a result finds fault in other rigs in or near its price point.  2. The criticism on the Jamis is that its frame will flex when loaded.  Is this true?  How much does that really matter?  All frames flex a bit.  3. I'm new to this game and all I have to compare rides to are city bikes and mtn. 

I'm not against Surly.  Maybe the ride I experienced is what a touring is suppose to feel like, and I just need to prepare to adapt to a new way of riding.  I need to stick around the Surly's price point ~$1300.  I ride a 54 or 55.  With the Surly this means 26" wheels and the Jamis 700.  The Jamis is equipped with v-brakes and the Surly has disc.  Disc or V? 

Is the Jamis a solid frame to build on or should my search for a better prize continue? 

Thanks all. 

CK...