Originally Posted by ridethecliche
The correct term you're looking for when you say 'backpacking' is 'touring'. For touring, you normally need a stronger bike that can take the load of putting on heavier panniers and needs to be compatible with rear racks and all that good stuff. You might also need more of a workhorse bike than a racing road bike, because you'd want clearances for fenders and thicker tires.
Ditto the above. I'm going through bike configuration angst at the moment myself for somewhat different reasons. I have a 2004 Raleigh Supercourse which I love. It's fast, and fits my riding style very well. But it's totally unsuitable for the commuting, hauling, and long recreational trips with gear I've tried to put it through for the past few years. In particular the inability to fit fenders is a killer. From among the various vintage and near vintage bikes I have hanging in my basement I chose an old Peugeot which I'd picked up cheaply a few years back at a thrift store, and am in the process of making it my primary bike. It has a longer frame geometry, the brakes and frame will allow fenders, and it has the fittings for racks. I'll use the Raleigh for recreational/training rides, and possibly for commuting on those days I'm absolutely certain it's not going to rain, but the Peugeot is going to be my primary bike.
If you're going to be touring, you have to expect rain, and you're going to want to be able to carry gear.
I did like the coined word "bikepacking" though.