Sorry, but I'm not that much of a fan. They're great looking and well thought out. They're truly nice, but how many touring miles do we put on per year? I haven't taken an overnight bike trip since 1983, though I hope to get back into it this summer.

Cyclo-cross and sport-touring bikes are just a bit shorter and lighter. They don't feel heavy when they're not laden. Full touring bikes do, so if I do end up touring, I'll probably do it on a cyclo-cross bike. I've determined that the chainstays are long enough to prevent heel-scrape.

I took a three-month tour on a 1980 PX-10 with a very short wheelbase. I had to modify my pedal stroke to clear my heels of the panniers. On all my tours, I used a handlebar bag rather than a front rack. The PX-10 was far from ideal, but it worked, and it refutes the idea that you need a specialized bike. I had to hang on really tight going down mountains, but I managed, and I didn't have to slow down. I was even foolish enough to use racing tubular tires. Now, that was stupid. I got a lot of flats!

I also took a several-day tour on my McLean racing bike. Same kind of setup but with clinchers.

I should wander over into the touring section of bikeforums so I get psyched to take tours again. Maybe it will get me into gear (pun intended) and start the planning.