Transitioning from road bike to touring bike

[Westinghouse]

I have made touring bikes out of road bikes a number of times. It is easy.

[schaefer]

Since I am new to this forum, My first post new. I will keep it short.

Pedals. I pulled the clip-in pedals off one of my bikes and swapped them for plastic mountain pedals.
I like plastic because they are still gripy enough to hold my shoe in place. But if I get scuffed by one they will not tare skin.  The a cheep and light.

As far as bikes goes. I found it pretty easy to switch from a very aggressive race bike to Cycle cross bikes and MBT bikes. I think that good fitting is the key.  Oh and getting a well fitting saddle is critical.

One of the things that I am very sensitive to is bike weight. I am a bigger guy  who use to be pretty strong. But as I age my mussel mass is fading away. So for me finding a lighter and light yet strong bike is key.
My MBT is a Pivot LES. My current road bike is a Super Nova.
Hope that this helps.

[canalligators]

Using a road bike to tour is basically feasible if not always optimum.

Some years ago, my daughter turned a road bike into a tourer. It was a Cannondale CAAD3.  She swapped its original fork, a harsh riding aluminum one, for a straighter carbon fork.  This gave more stability and more comfortable ride.  She also changed it to a triple.  Nice bike, It is still her tourer.  Side note, the fork is old and old tech, so I’m buying her a new one for her birthday.

[KathyE]

For what it's worth, the original poster has not been active since May 5th so your feedback, as good as it is, may not be getting to them. 

[David W Pratt]

Even credit card touring you will have to carry clothes, tools, first aid kit, etc.
As with any bike the ten most important aspects are: Fit, Fit, Fit, Fit, Fit, and five other things.
In general, the better your route planning, down to mid-morning snack stops, the less you need to carry.
A good touring bike need not feel like riding a Clydesdale; and with light loads, you can even lean toward lighter bikes, and narrower, more supple tires.