Quote Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl View Post
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!