So confused!

[shootingstar]

You need to tell us what kind of distances you are hoping/planning to ride for your tours. If you are not packing much for panniers, etc, does that mean you'll be staying in motels or B&B's?

Large range granny gears, fenders, any racks, steel frame, sturdier tires, extra water....all these things will add some weight.

The good news is that if your touring bike winds up being 25-30 lbs (without panniers), your granny gears will help you climb the hills anyway despite extra weight. You will also develop stronger legs to get that bike moving. Most people who like touring are not too concerned with high speed, and pedaling a 30 lb bike on flat terrain is not that much more effort than pedaling a 20 lb bike on flat terrain.

Well, true that not dragging around camping gear, lightens the load abit for a credit card bike touring ride. But, I couldn't help giggle ironically here...when a bike touring trip, has near the beginning or in the middle of it, a work-related conference it does mean more baggage. Has it ever occurred to anyone that the weight of clothing for someone who is 5'1" is lighter than clothing for one at 5' 10"? Presumably the lot taller person is stronger, but not always. There's just more fabric required to cover a taller person, ergo more weight.

I agree that one shouldn't over-rate the speed of a touring bike trip that is loaded with panniers, but it is nice somehow to have a bike that has some lighter weight (but not necessarily always the lightest materials) components to still go over hills, different terrain...which isn't always beautiful smooth pavement, etc.

Have fun Oak, in the bike/component shopping. We wanna see photos of the final baby!

[tpb]

How about a Bianchi Volpe? I have one that I use for commuting and light touring - and I love it. I don't have fenders so I don't know how that would work.

I have made a couple of upgrades (rear derailleur, seat) as well as adding a rear rack, lights, etc.

Enjoy.
TB

[tpb]

I forgot to mention. On the way to finding my Volpe, I rode the Specialized Tricross. For me at least, it just was NOT comfortable. Also, if I remember right, it's not steel...

-TB

[ginny]

I tried the bianchi volpe and while I also have an eros donna as my road bike, I didn't like that bike as much. I ended up with a LHT for my daily commute, grocery shopper and touring bike. It is heavy - particularly as compared with a sassy little road bike. Also, to be honest, I'm not particularly stoke on how I 'sit' the bike. I feel much more stretched out on it than my road bike... in retrospect, I maybe should have saved up for a custom bike... have you thought of that? Lunas are really nice, as are um... those ones named after elves... rivendell... does Seven make touring bikes? Don't get me wrong, I like my surly and plan to ride it to death... then maybe I'll get a custom bike. If I had saved for the custom bike, I wouldn't have been able to commute by bike this winter / summer, and I wouldn't have my new job (got it probably because I ride my bike every day).

[susan.wells]

You left out Jamis and the Terry Valkyrie

I'm on a 10 day tour and just finished the fifth day on my Terry Valkyrie. We did Skyline Drive and are now on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am quite pleased with both the fit and handling. Very solid feel (meaning no shimmy) descending. I'm packing light because we have a sag vehicle. The gearing has been wonderful for the climbs. I've been able to spin up all so far with a cadence of ~82 rpm. That keeps my 50+ years old knees happy!