I find it difficult to think of touring more hardcore than an 18,000 mile round-the-world trip. Mike Hall did it on a carbon frame, carbon forks and carbon wheels with an Ultegra compact groupset. If he didn't need a 5 speed freewheel to do his ride, I very much doubt that anyone here is going to need to resort to that level of Ludditism.
I find it difficult to think of touring more hardcore than an 18,000 mile round-the-world trip. Mike Hall did it on a carbon frame, carbon forks and carbon wheels with an Ultegra compact groupset. If he didn't need a 5 speed freewheel to do his ride, I very much doubt that anyone here is going to need to resort to that level of Ludditism.