Originally Posted by
1-track-mind
Ha. I say if you really want to kill touring bikes, then continue to make carbon frames and forks with rack mounts as if they could really handle the weight. Is it planned obsolescence or just stupidity ?
You just have to watch the rated weight these are designed for. Most mfrs will specify rated for a rack load xx pounds. Some of the "light touring" bikes like the Renegade are rated for racks but limited to a 25 - 35 pound load as compared to a full touring bike that might be rated for 50 pounds or even more on the rack in some cases. Supporting rack mounts does not mean rated for a 50 pound load. These new "light" touring bikes have opened up a great class of bikes for weekend credit card tourers that do not want to drag around a full on touring bike. They just are not necessarily designed for a full touring load.
If you are not sure what the limits of a fork or a frame are for touring loads, you should ask the manufacturer what thet are rated for and stay within those limits. There may be carbon forks and frames rated for touring loads, etc...