Ahmyin You dont half to have 500 to 1000 dollar touring bikes to go places that is the biggest misconception i have ever seen sure the 700 tires will help you go a little faster a carbon frame is lighter but when you are carrying a 100 pounds in four panniers and a trunk rack with maybe 5 pounds in it you need a bike with some arse in it. I travel on a avalon 7 speed comfort bike and i do just fine. Got my racks panniers all my equipment for camping and my wife rides a 18 speed mountain bike from next. We have put over 3 to 4 thousand mile on them riding all over missouri where we live. We stay gone a week or to at a time. Only thing we done different is put thick thorn proof tubes and plastic tire liners in the tires. And the rest of it is stock below is a pic of our touring slash tight budget bikes. Cheap and works awesomely plus parts are easy to get to fix if need be.