Originally Posted by
Trentkln27
I've changed steeds. While testing with my beloved fuji sportif i found I was getting to much heal strike sometimes and I couldn't get wide enough tires under it to smooth it out. I now have an Ozark trail that I've upgraded the drivetrain on and outfitted with the touring gear I already owned. Food and cooking supplies will go in my front paniers and snacks and other items I want on hand will be in the handle bar bag and top tube bag. My few changes of clothes a multi tool and a few extra parts will be kept in the rear bags with the tent strapped the the top of the rack. I'm hoping this brings the weight forward enough to keep the front end down on climbs. I may move things as I figure out my best strategy
That does look better than the road bike for touring with a load. I am not familiar with the brand, but it looks quite capable.
I like to put things that I might need quickly or frequently in the handlebar bag. Sunscreen, bug repellant, chain lube, small multitool.
Chain lube, when my drive train is noisy, I want to lube it then instead of in the campsite that night. And I have often forgotten to lube the chain once I am in the campsite.
Multi-tool I often carry a big one with lots of tools in my tool bag in the bottom of a pannier, plus a tiny little one with only screwdrivers and allen wrenches in handlebar bag or in a shorts pocket. (My bike touring bike shorts have pockets.)
If your tools are in the lower bottle cage, I can tell you from experience that a zippered case like that can let water into it when riding in the rain. Putting a plastic bag over it when raining is a good idea. It is easy to carry a small plastic bag in the case. In hot weather, you might want a water bottle in that cage instead for a third bottle, but it would have to be a small bottle.
I see you have a suspension stem. That should smooth out the road a bit too.