...I travel on a CF bike with a handlebar bag and a saddlebag because I find it more comfortable and enjoyable than with a more conventional touring set up....
Are you kidding? a CF bike? I have a Trek 520 and a Masi CF roadbike. Other than the fast-twitch handling of the shorter wheelbase, I'm sort of afraid to put the CF frame through too much - it's so lightweight it almost feels - well, fragile. I'd love to see your gear list for a CF-based tour....Funny, DeadGrandpa and I have been hashing and hashing on platform selections and weight, right now my 520 is at about 29 lbs without gear (but with racks), and I figured I'd get off lucky with 12 lbs or so additional stuff, bringing total weight to 40-42 lbs or so. You must have a huge saddlebag....