Do I need a tourer or can I get away with a road bike & backpack for a week away?

Thanks for the links Ed, they look really handy. Like the look of Dan's set up - kind of what i had in mind with a seatpost bag + breathable rucksack (something like this Wiggle | Deuter Race 10 Litre Rucksack - Hydration Compatible Rucksacks). Guess the only thing to be careful about is the max weight on the seat bag.

Might be worth looking at the blogger who surfaced on this forum, touring east asia I think at the time. He shows his 'minimal' kit, and boy is it minimal. Maybe the 'where did I see this...?' thread could provide a link.

This guy?

Guess the only thing to be careful about is the max weight on the seat bag.

With the Carradice and carbon seatpost, probably, but I don't think you need to worry about it with the bikepack version.

We've been through this.

You're not clamping the post. So say 8 Kg of load in a bikepack jobbie + a 80Kg rider, is no different than a 88Kg rider.

This guy?

Is friggen genius.

save your self some money, buy a compression bag (£10) two straps (£2-£5). done. 12L is loads of clothes. If you're only carrying clothes then it shouldn't weigh much.

Just start very light and if you need stuff buy it there You ARE in europe (not somalia/indonesian/mongolia)

oh, it is also illegal to race on tiagra. you need at least 105. :)

Or if you're sister's prepared and has panniers etc, stick your stuff on her bike.

save your self some money, buy a compression bag (£10) two straps (£2-£5). done. 12L is loads of clothes. If you're only carrying clothes then it shouldn't weigh much.

Another good suggestion;

(okay it's not exactly stable in picture but with a couple strap it'd be a solid set-up).

This thread is perfect for me.

I would definitely advise against a rucksack, riding to work you probably think ah this isn't too bad but when you've got to wear it for up to 10 hours a day you'll hate the thing. It'll probably cause you no end of aches and pains too, which after a rough nights sleep (can happen) you'll feel like giving up.

I'm currently riding one bike, a Van Nicholas Yukon. Small Furry and Ed will tell you that I was thinking about components for ages before deciding, but it meant that I made all the right decisions.

Being Ti It's very light which means I can strip it back for club runs no problem.

It's got braze on's for a rack and guards (which I leave on all the time) I'm yet to ride with the rack because as Ed mentioned up above I've got one of the bikepack.eu saddle bags, which are awesome. But if you've got a seat post with a slight lay back (I have) you may have troubles fitting the velcro around the seat post.

Wheels are Velocity A23 with 25mm tyres, which without getting on to the wheel debate are very comfy, I'd be happy to tour on 25mm tyres I think now too, (I've only toured on 28mm in the past)

I'd recommend a light tourer/ audax bike over anything based on your list above. The Ridgeback range of bikes (century and the like) are great VFM, as is the Ribble if you want to go for Alu.

BTW. I an recommend Overboard front pannier bags. Solid, waterproof, 12 Ltr,and cheap.

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/OverBoard_12_Ltr_Waterproof_Front_Wheel_Pannier_OB1076BLK/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR&currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=171854

Combine with a barbag for snacks and valubles.

http://www.welovetech.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=364468461

Would those panniers happily fit on a rear rack? Mine are 56L combined, which is fine for touring but a little OTT for commuting because I tend to fill them just for the sake of it.

I have a seat post rack (two actually) for sale if you decide to go down that route. I'll double check the price, but I think they are the £40 ones from Evans. If so you can have them half price, I used them once on a London to Paris ride.

Would those panniers happily fit on a rear rack? Mine are 56L combined, which is fine for touring but a little OTT for commuting because I tend to fill them just for the sake of it.

That what I bought mine for. They fit fine.

I have the big rear panniers, smaller front panniers, and the barbag.

The rear panniers sit a bit high for my taste. But there is no disbuting the quality for the price.

Hear they are mounted on 'The Mongrel' (RIP)

They do sit high don't they.

Are they the small ones on the back in that picture?

Small on the front. The rear ones, on the rear, are a lot wider. Its mainly the roll lid that sticks up high, and they ride fine. I'd just rather have them lower.

By the way;

Might be useful;

http://truelovehealth.com/2012/02/07/bike-packing-the-gear-i-use-to-travel-light-and-fast/

Great read that Ed.

I've still noticed with the bike packs I have trouble fitting them well with a layback seat post. Does anyone else notice this?

I did, it work better when there's enough room on the railing for the loop to wrap properly, otherwise it'll simply point upward dramatically (as pictured below), can be a problem with modern saddle + setback seatpost.

Get an inline seatpost instead - there's little need for a layback seatpost nowadays.

when mounted properly with zero-setback seatpost(leaving enough room on the saddle rail), saddlebag is much more horizontal;

Hmm think I may have to try another out then Ed. Cheers.

Mines more so that I can't get the velcro part which goes around the post to sit properly.

I did, it work better when there's enough room on the railing for the loop to wrap properly, otherwise it'll simply point upward dramatically (as pictured below), can be a problem with modern saddle + setback seatpost.

Get an inline seatpost instead - there's little need for a layback seatpost nowadays.

when mounted properly with zero-setback seatpost(leaving enough room on the saddle rail), saddlebag is much more horizontal;

The main difference in those pictures is that on the top pic you have the end compression strap pulled tight, as you can see from the gap between the strap and the bag on top...which is why the bag is curved upwards and pointing more upright...because it's being pulled towards the saddle.
On the second pic the end strap isn't pulled tight at all as you can see from the gap between the strap and the rear of the bag.
The angle they're coming off the seat and post is pretty much identical because the saddle is in pretty much the same position with relation to the post, regardless of inline or layback clamps.

It's also worth noting that you have completely different seatpost lengths on both bikes and so you can't really make a comparison with positioning of the bag.