Can a Trek 2.3 WSD be used as a light touring bike?

[Zen]

what about going to someplace like Target and picking up a cheap bike?

BLASPHEMER!

One good reason not to do that is take a look at who works at Target, et al. Do you want those people assembling your bike?
And you can't take it back to them for adjustments either.
I think you can find an affordable bike that will fit your needs at a bike shop.

[deeaimond]

Hi Lisacohen,

I just installed a rack onto my road bike for touring. My bike also has no braze-ons for attaching a rack, but then its full aluminium, so i attached it with some metal clips, I don't know how to explain them but they're called P-clips. After some riding and loading with panniers, the clips have eaten a little into the paintwork, but nothing a black permanent marker cannot cover up. I did not have the option of buying a new bike, thats why I just made do with what I had. So far they have worked fine and are very sturdy. But I'm guessing I would not do the same to a bike with carbon stays, simply because the weight in one spot and metal clips will destroy the bike.

as for shoes, when I was buying my shoes in january, I chose the mtb shoes with metal cleats because I rode alone sometimes, and had ideas about wanting to tour. I wanted shoes that won't let me slip and fall if theres a sudden downpour or be impossible to walk in if I have to wheel bike for abit because of a flat. So in the end I got mtb pedals and shoes on my road bike. I use the candy SL pedals, they're easy to clip in and out, and easy to clean too.. I have no experience with any other clipless pedals, but these have kept me quite happy.

basically there is no right or wrong way to do anything, just need to take into your consideration your specific situation and make choices that suit your lifestyle better. It makes sense if you're riding with your children to wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in in case you need to take them to the toilet or something like that when outside on the road? I don't have any children of my own, but I borrow 41-44 kids daily so that I can entertain them at work and I learned that you need to be able to run, jump, climb, dance, everything in your shoes because children are unpredictable and need the strangest things.