Originally Posted by
4tomic
Here's my question about that... what's the line between light touring and loaded touring? I've done a number of 1500 km bike trips, but I pack light and don't think I'd ever see myself traveling with more than 30-40lbs of gear and even that is pushing it. But yes, it would be so much fun to build it.
Not sure myself, but I believe it's how they built the frame. Most of these bikes it'll say if it's designed for loaded or light touring. That's how Soma says the ES is made for. Will it work for loaded touring, probably so, but would it be reliable for that? Maybe not. Issues like cracking welds and such seem to be the main concern when using something made for lighter loads to do heavy touring.
I'd take the builders advise on it myself. I'd hate to find out my light touring bike can't do it when I'm 300 miles from home.