I took a similar path with my bike. I wanted a nice custom road bike, built as light as reasonable but with a comfortable geometry. I’m not going racing, why have a racing bike? I made a couple of compromises: 32 hole rims (Velocity Aeroheads) and instead of a carbon fork, I had the builder use a touring fork as a carbon one can be installed at a later date. I knew going into it that I would be riding around in regular road bike fashion 99% of the time, so why buy or build a specific touring bike? All I have to do is throw the racks back on it and it’s ready to tour again. Lightly and comfortably. The bike weighs about 22/23 lbs with a steel fork and steel fenders. A tubus Vega rear rack and Tara front low rider are also light and effecient. I left the rear rack and fenders on—just ‘cause I like ’em and they’re useful.

Was it worth the money? Yeah. You bet. Particularly considering that a high-buzz road bike costs the same or more.