friendly-fred42

C. Get cheap, used Trek 720 (not 520) off ebay. Save Madone for other stuff

kayakdiver

I'd pick up a Burley Nomad and head out on tour if as you said it's all flat. That trailer would stress the frame very little. And when and if you decide you want to get a full touring bike you can sell the trailer for I would guess 80% of what you pay for it..... so the cost of finding out if you like doing it would be very low indeed.

Even if you decide to get a touring bike.... the Burley is a great trailer to have around for just about anything you can think of after the tour is over.

KrisPistofferson

To me it isn't worth the trouble and compromise to try to attach panniers, fenders etc to a road bike to tour, but I could see the aforementioned Burly Nomad and some SKS raceblades working out pretty well if you are use to spending long hours on a bike with race geometry already. Good luck whatever choices you make!

wheelgrabber

I used a Bob trailer with my Aegis Aro Svelte. It was comfortable and the trailer tracks amazingly well. I rode from Missouri up to Wyoming through Colorado. I was fit and used a 53/39 crank with a 11-32 with a long cage derailleur. Camped everyday with about 45 lbs of gear/clothing.
These days I would put use aluminum seatpost with a Topeak seatpost mounted rack and Topeak pannier/cargo bag if I was traveling light & fast.

I would not be concerned about hurting the frame if you use the seatpost or rear axle for supporting the weight.

Rowan

Brooks saddle and Carradice Nelson Longflap or the ultimate, the Carradice Camper to attach to it. The Brooks is not mandatory, but does help with the fitment of the Carradice because of the inbuilt loops. If you do decide you like touring, the Brooks can be transfered over to a new bike, and the Carradice can be a useful tool for both touring and commuting or other utlity cycling.

A generously sized handlebar bag can be on your shopping list, too.

I have switched to a CF frame for long-distance riding. It's fitted with the Topeak Dynapack. The Dynapack capacity is not vast (this is the pod-styled integrated system that also fits to the seatpost although for various reasons mine is actually fitted to the top of the seat tube).

The only issue that I might suggest you consider relates not to the material -- after all, there are others who have successfully toured and ridden long-distane with CF, and Madones in particular -- but the fit and the road-racing specific angles on the seat tube and head tube. sstorkel also has a point about diffierent handling becoming evident, but randonneurs haven't been vehement in their concerns about this.

I would suggest that you ride some full days on it -- let's say, up to 8 hours -- and then if there is pain, work on some fine-turing of your fit.

I like people who make do with what they have, rather than go out and buy what they are advised is the latest and greatest. It makes people creative, able to think outside the box and show others they are wrong in their assumptions. Good luck with your plans and above all, enjoy the ride!

CCrew

Pretty much it's about having the right tool for the job. I don't hammer with vice-grips, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.....just waaaaaay sub-optimal.

What he buys is up to him... a Madone is a sweet bike --- but it's no tourer unless you're using a fanny pack and a credit card.