'13 Trek Madone 2.1

[cmtbiz]

I just got myself a 2013 Trek Madone 2.1 road bike.  I will using this for my short touring. I would go for the "credit card" option and I dont see I can put any racks on this type of bike.  Anyway since I will be just doing around New Jersey and its neighboring states only. 

[John Nelson]

So how much do you plan to carry, and how?

[cmtbiz]

Not for winter.. since no rack on it.. it will be just the medium sized backpack - 2 sets of shorts/jersey/socks; spare tube; 2 water bottles; mini size of those personal hygiene stuffs; disposable raincoats; some snacks; compact tools; small towels; gps; maps; cellphone; flashlight; chargers.

I guess I have all the essentials. I hope I can pull this off. 

I wonder if they have those panniers that goes inside the frame, that you hang on the top tube?

If not, I would probably go back to my Mountain Bike which I can install racks.

[DaveB]

For true ultralight touring, say 10 pounds maximum load, a seatpost rack will work.  Some of them are rated to handle 20 pounds or a bit more but don't do it as they are not stable enough and can harm your seatpost if too heavy.

Otherwise, you bought the wrong bike if touring is a major intended use. 

[RussSeaton]

A seatpost rack and bag will work fine for light touring where you stay in motels.  Or a Carradice bag on the back of the saddle.  Looking at the Trek website, your bike comes with either a compact 34x30 or triple 30x30 low gear.  Good enough for light touring.

Seatpost rack with side racks to keep panniers out of spokes.
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RXBeamRack_w_side_frameV-Type

Rackbag with side pockets that fold out to become panniers.
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/MTXTrunkBagDXP

Carradice bags on back of saddle.  Attach with toestraps.
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=33

Adventure Cycling sells the bags that go inside the main triangle.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/601_75/jandd-frame-pack.cfm
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/606_75/revelate-designs-tangle-frame-bag.cfm

You can put a rear rack onto your bike.  Just use P clips to attach the rack to the seatstays at the top and bottom.  May not be the prettiest, but it works fine.  Your frame is aluminum so it will be fine with P clips.

[nun]

A seatpost rack and bag will work fine for light touring where you stay in motels.  Or a Carradice bag on the back of the saddle.  Looking at the Trek website, your bike comes with either a compact 34x30 or triple 30x30 low gear.  Good enough for light touring.

If you have sufficient saddle to rear wheel clearance you don't necessarily need a rear rack for a large Carradice saddlebag. I hang a Camper longflap off my saddle and buckle the third strap around the seat post. Combine that with a handlebar bag and you can do fully loaded touring for 20lbs or less, and there is no need for racks at all. And of course there is the bikepacking approach.

http://wheelsofchance.org/2012/12/25/gear-list/

[cmtbiz]

Wow i love that rear and front bag options. You gave me hope. Thanks

[nun]

Wow i love that rear and front bag options. You gave me hope. Thanks

You might need a seatpost or saddle mounted support if your bike is smaller than 56cm, but there are plenty of those. It's easy to do credit card touring with such a setup and with careful gear choices you can do fully loaded touring too. If you are doing a credit card tour a smaller saddlebag than the Carradice Camper will work just fine.

[mozzyman]

I was in the same boat with my Specialized Sequoia Elite, front forks are carbon and wheelset not meant to pack that much extra weight (I am doing a week fully self supported).  For my planned summer tour of the Oregon coast I picked up a used BOB trailer on Craigslist, might want to think about this and not have to go so light or carry a backpack.

[nun]

I was in the same boat with my Specialized Sequoia Elite, front forks are carbon and wheelset not meant to pack that much extra weight (I am doing a week fully self supported).  For my planned summer tour of the Oregon coast I picked up a used BOB trailer on Craigslist, might want to think about this and not have to go so light or carry a backpack.

I don't like the idea of a trailer as they are heavy in themselves, encourage over packing, and can dramatically affect bike handling. The OP is looking to do some credit card touring so frame bags, saddlebags and handle bar bag combinations will probably work without the need for racks or a backpack. The one thing I'd really change on a road bike for lightweight touring would be to get a new 32 spoke wheel set.