Ok.... I have searched and came up with a few "kinda" answers, maybe you guys can direct me better.

A buddy of mine and myself would like to do a large chunk possibly 3 days worth of the GAP and C&O canal camping along the way and buying food supplies were needed to minimize the load. We both have carbon Trek Domane's a 4.5 and 5.2. Other then the Arkel rear rack is there any other options for us, I am not sure if we have carbon dropouts or not that would allow us to use a rear skewer mounted rack.

We would chance the tires out for 28's with a mild tread, and be using handlebar bags as well as some kind of rear rack.....If this trip doable on these bikes?

Sorry if the questions are redundant.....We are both familiar with road cycling and riding centuries, just new to this touring thing especially on a dirt road. Any help or guidance would be very much appreciated. Thank you

You could use a frame mounted bag also. You would probably lose the use of your bottle cages, so would need a hydration pack or handlebar mounted bottle cages. The rest of your questions, I can't help you with. I'm not familiar with carbon Treks and never rode the GAP/C&O.

Extra wheel trailer and you dont have to do Anything to the Bike .. just put your stuff in the 2 panniers on the trailer

Its not much More than another fork with a 2nd front wheel on it.

We see people Touring the Pacific Coast All the time towing BoB trailers behind their Road Bikes and BoB trailers weigh More. & have a smaller Wheel .


Only thing you change is the QR Skewer .. https://www.biketrailershop.com/extr...er-p-1377.html

maybe put a nicer wheel in it ( even a Dynohub wheel and charge your E Toy Batteries . USB)



I wouldn't hang a Beam rack off a Domane even if you add a metal seat post.

there is that Isospeed elastomer De coupling the seat tube from the rest of the Frame above the BB ..

loading more weight on that via a Big saddle Bag may have undesirable consequences

Yes, the trip is doable. Search on "lightweight" and "ultralight" for threads that address your questions. Also here is how I carry stuff on a similar endurance bike, but you will find other solutions if you search.

You can easily do a lightweight tour on those bikes. The Backrack Lightweight (Bontrager) is made to sit on the skewer, check reviews. That and a medium size front bag will get you by if you know how to travel light.

Re searching, I have found the search feature in this website to be incredibly frustrating to use.not the topic here but every time I have used it, its effectiveness is pretty sketchy.

Second for frame bags. With a light 3-day load, why add the weight of a rack at all?

soft bags...

Krampus in its Element by mbeganyi, on Flickr

IMG_9474a by mbeganyi, on Flickr

IMG_3202 by mbeganyi, on Flickr

My concern would be the tire size; 28s are kinda skinny for the dirt and mud you'd find on the C&O. (I understand the GAP is crushed gravel, so it might be a better choice.) You might make it in late summer or early fall, as long as it's dry.

Have you considered running over for a weekend ride to see the trail and try it out?

97tbird, I'd actually consider your mountain bike more appropriate.

Brad

28s will be fine as long as it isn't deep mud. I rode the Erie Canal trail on 25s and found then ok for surfaces ranging from tarmac, through loose gravel to sections of mud and rocks.

I'll admit that I've only ridden a few miles (in June) of the C&O Canal, but I was very glad I had 32s and wished I had 35s at several spots. I credited my incredible bike handling skills -) for staying upright through some of the muddy spots. 28s might suffice at the end of a dry summer or drought, though.