Originally Posted by
valygrl
My $0.02 - Get the Roubaix for regular road riding, don't eff it up with too-low gears and a heavy saddle and hanging junk all over it, keep the Rambouillet for touring. The Roubaix should be a sweet nimble light road bike.
You can have N+1, you know.
You don't eff up a bike by using saddlebags, they are detachable, remember? And a Brooks swift with Ti rails, such as I use, isn't a heavy saddle. Touring on road bikes is fun, it doesn't do them any harm or make them less like a road bike.
I use a full on expedition tourer when I need its load-carrying and other qualities. When I don't, I use whichever bike seems suitable to the conditions and will make the journey the most fun.