Originally Posted by
pacificcyclist
Don't you think there weren't a lot of detractors then when Columbus and the wright brothers made their attempts to make history? Do you think there would be a United States of America or Canada if these explorer didn't risk their lives to find out? Or if the Wright brothers didn't attempt first flight? There wouldn't be United Airlines, WestJet or Air Canada nor would we ever see the stars and stripes or the maple leaf flying high.
Using a different frame material for a tour isn't in any way the same as Columbus discovering America, but I get the point you are making.
The issues of using carbon fiber in a touring bike seems to me would be just a few. One, there aren't really any carbon frames devoted to touring, that I know at least. So your load and where you carry it is a little thrown together to fit the bike instead of the bike fitting the load. It seems that an ultralight approach to touring should be used and racks that attach to the frame or fork would be best avoided. Two, any kind of repair that requires tightening a fastener on a carbon fiber piece requires a torque wrench, which is just another tool to carry.
Aluminum has worked fine for touring bikes; my Novara Safari is an aluminum frame and has worked fine. I prefer steel, but would take an aluminum bike too.