Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
While Mike has said the monstercross isn't designed to be a touring bike, I converted my rim brake model to commuting/touring and its been great.
The heat treated OS tubing, at 8/5/8, is plenty stiff and strong. The bike"s geometry lends itself to be stable when loaded and the front fork handles a rack and panniers just fine.
Yes, an intended touring bike will have thicker tubing, typically.
I am 220# and ride the 65cm frame. Me plus gear is heavier than what a lot of others will have on the bike, and my frame triangle is larger than any rim or MCD triangle, so if mine feels fine then smaller frames won't flex as much.
Just offering up some thoughts since you mentioned the MCD.
That's some really helpful feedback. After telling my wife about this post, she said I should buy the 920 frameset now and build it up, then get a BMC Road+ frameset in the fall when they become available. She doesn't know much about bikes, but she's a really good enabler. We'd be broke if I listened to her all the time, but it's nice not being hassled and suppressed when there's something I really want and know will be used.