I'm bringing this up because of a long conversation I had with the staff at my LBS. They were telling me that with the advances in engineering, material physics and design, carbon forks are a legitimate choice for touring bikes. (Note: As long as they are specifically designed for touring, i.e., have braze ons and the right geometry and structural properties. And note: by touring I mean self-containing camping-touring with 4 panniers and/or a Bob trailer, say, across Canada or the US, but not off-road or expedition touring in S-E Asia.)

Based on what I was told, it seems that weight-wise there's no difference, because a carbon touring fork will approach 500-600 grams. The difference is in the comfort provided, i.e., the dampening of small shocks and jolts, and the reduction in road vibration. Apparently longevity is not an issue with carbon forks, collisions or serious crashes aside, as a lot of carbon forks have a lifetime warranty. Obviously one downside is that you can't get a carbon fork repaired by a local handy at welding.

Comments on the suitability of carbon forks for touring? Has anyone done any touring on a carbon fork? If not, why not? Again, assume there are braze ons for a front rack, and that the geometry is right. So what's the problem? Longstanding biases?