Lightweight Pacific Coast Tour - a few questions?
 

A friend and I are going to ride the West Coast from San Francisco to LA.. I have looked at a lot of posts but still have a few questions..

I will be riding a Eddy Merckx road bike, is is better to pay the money from the OMM racks for bikes with no eyelets or are the P-clamps and a stock rear rack with panniers and truck bag solid enough.

Most of the tour will be staying at hotels but will be carrying ultra lightweight tent and sleeping bag just in case we have to camp. I am looking at about 20-25lbs of gear total.. I thought about a BOB but reading many of the posts that sounds like a little much for a lightweight tour in the summer..

I figure a rear rack with panniers and truck and a small handlebar bag will suffice... Just need to know if the extra money for OMM racks is necessary. I like that the racks set back a little so there is no chance of heel clipping..

I will be riding a compact crankset - 50x34 with a 12-28 cassette.. Is this enough gearing considering that I am going lightweight? Would it be more practical to put slicks on my Fisher hardtail to make the trip. Unfortunately my Fisher does not have eyelets for racks either..

For those of you who have done this trip what is a necessity and what could you live without.. I already have the Bicycling The Pacific Coast book and will get a couple of maps from the ACA that were mentioned in other posts..

All opinions appreciated...

I did a touring trip on my Fisher Mt. Tam with P-clips with about 50lbs on a blackburn expedition.
You should be fine.
I'd go with whichever bike you think its stronger, I'll bet the Fisher is. Though fishers are pretty weak (I cracked two mt tam frames, thank god for warrenties, before I sold it. Though this wasn't relate to touring.)
20lbs and assuming you're not a big like me, either whould probably work, assuming you don't ahve ultralight wheels.
Also, I wouldn't worry about gearing that much with such a light load.

The Merckx is early 1990's steel, it is a rock solid frame. I was going to use Mavic Open Pro's - 36 hole wheels for the trip.. I feel more comfortable clamping things to the Merckx over the Fisher frame..

I just want to make sure there are no issues with using the P-clips.. Where is the best source to buy the P-clips?

I was also going to put a zero rise stem on the bike so I have a little more upright position for comfort..

The Merkx seems best then.
My rack came with them. Most blackburns do and thats all you'll need for 25lbs. Otherwise, ask the LBS.

Looks like the Blackburn Expedition comes with all the hardware for 45.00 at rei..