Can a carbon road bike work for bike touring if using a BOB trailer

[Pat Lamb]

I have thought that a light weight road bike would serve me better on my daily rides (I have an old aluminum Raleigh hybrid....but average only 14-16 mph on my 40-55 mile rides and see many people with true road bikes going quite a bit faster and thought I would need a better bike to get involved with group rides and week long tours.

I'm skeptical about the value of a "go-fast" bike.  The weight of a bike doesn't make much difference to your top speed, though it does make accelerating a bit harder.  I regularly ride with a group that rolls along at 20-25 mph, and I lose them on the hills (I suck at hills!), then catch them on the downhills (gravity likes me!) and proceed along to the next hill.

You also need to ask, how far did everyone go?  It's not unusual for me to get passed after 45 miles when I'm taking the last 5 miles easy.  Funny how the passers look crisp and clean, while I'm dripping sweat.  How far had they ridden when they passed me?

A single sport touring bike is between.  Not too much difference in frame, but the wheels are intermediate in weight.  Or you could get a touring bike and a pair of light wheels, ride the light wheels, and swap out for touring.  You'd freak the group members by riding that HEAVY bike, especially when your fitness improves to the point you're keeping up with them.

[kris7047th]

I have three very different bikes for different types of riding .. REI MTB Madrona, Specialized Dolce Sport compact and I just bought a Trek 520 with front & rear racks. There is a big difference with comfort on unrepaired roads with my road bike and the Trek. The dedicated tour bike smooths out the bumps much better than the Specialized. The Trek 520 is built to take on the extra weight over different types of terrain. I wouldn't dream of using my light weight  road bike for hauling/pulling anything. There is a good chance that over a bad bump that you could break something.


I swap the trunk between the bikes. I have emergency repair kit & tools, rain gear, emergency med kit. The little bag up front hold my cell phone, house keys and a small ID wallet w/license.





Knowing how my roads are and throughout my state of Michigan .. I would never attempt to use my road bike for touring all day. I would be in a world of pain too.

Uggh .. I can't get the pics to work on this forum ..

[indyfabz]

I wouldn't dream of using my light weight  road bike for hauling/pulling anything. There is a good chance that over a bad bump that you could break something.

Somewhat related is the fact that you might not always know what road conditions you are going to encounter. When I did the portion of the Trans Am between Missoula and Fairplay, Big Hole Pass was being repaved. The sfurface was entirely dirt, and it was soft in many places. I was glad for my 37c tires, especially on the descent. A few days later I encountered a pretty long stretch of dug up road east of Ennis that was difficult to ride even with those tires.

[kris7047th]

The Trek came with 700 32c tires and they handle dirt/gravel roads fairly well.  IMO .. there is a reason why there are so many types of bikes available designed for specific purposes. I just think the OP would be pushing his luck wanting to use the bike that he has for touring purposes hauling a load. The three bikes that I have cover my needs without having to push them (and with care they will last me years to come)