Speaking as someone who did all my unsupported touring years ago on a lower-end "all purpose" bike (and would really like more versatility than the roadie I have now) ...
I don't think you need a heavy tourer unless you're planning unsupported rides of more than a couple of nights or planning to be TWO with a need for heavy cargo capacity. And I don't think you need a (small-S) specialized roadie unless you're planning to join fast group rides or races.
A metal frame with rack bosses and somewhat tighter geometry would be the way I'd go. Whenever I get around to building the commuter I've been talking aboutI'm eyeing a Surly Cross-Check frame or something along those lines, but with a triple and probably 105 or Ultegra componentry, and lighter wheels than what they put on their complete CCs.
A friend of mine who's around 70 years old is currently filing updates from a solo unsupported 1,000 mile ride across the Appalachians on the same bike he does the C/D club rides on - a steel Trashbar frame from the '80s with mostly Shimano 600 components of the same vintage. But he's a special case.
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Thread: got the itch for a new bike
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10-14-2011, 08:48 AM #3
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Last edited by OakLeaf; 10-14-2011 at 08:58 AM.
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