A tourer, put together with lightish components, actually ticks several boxes. I commuted on tourers for 17 years. I have toured on them, with two or four panniers. And I do multi-surface day rides on my current version, using it a bit like a gravel bike. I took one on a tour of Provence, then on a day off touring took the front rack and mudguards off and went up Mont Ventoux, for which the wide gear range was perfect. Unlike most gravel bikes my current tourer will, if I choose, take four panniers and a bit more without faffing about strapping stuff to the top tube. I think it makes a really multi-purpose bike rather than a niche machine good for one thing only. If you can only have one bike, a tourer is a strong contender.Mtb tourer wrote: ↑28 Mar 2024, 4:27pm Most people buy a tourer for going from A to B to C etc. not day runs.
Why buy a full on tourer if it's not used for the job its been designed for?
For us a touring bike with no luggage just does not feel right.
I agree with you that wheels, first and foremost, have to be strong enough for the job. My own are 36 spoke with middleweight rims and tyres voluminous enough to prevent the rims getting a dent. But I don't go for the strongest, heaviest rims because I just haven't found that I need them. It is a case of finding that happy medium that does the job without unnecessary weight.