Read all this, and looked at my touring bike/load.
It is true, as said above, that once you load the bike its own weight becomes rather secondary. I replaced my rear wheel with a tandem-spoked set-up on a Hope hub, which is not light. I wanted strength. I'm a big bloke, and I generally lose about a stone and a half on a long tour, so I can always lighten the rider.
The kicker here is in what you tour for. Posts like the one above are fine, if all you want to do is cover miles.
I want to ride, see things, take photos, walk, birdwatch......
It is true, as said above, that once you load the bike its own weight becomes rather secondary. I replaced my rear wheel with a tandem-spoked set-up on a Hope hub, which is not light. I wanted strength. I'm a big bloke, and I generally lose about a stone and a half on a long tour, so I can always lighten the rider.
The kicker here is in what you tour for. Posts like the one above are fine, if all you want to do is cover miles.
I want to ride, see things, take photos, walk, birdwatch......