Abu Mahendra

The raison d'être of a 'road bike' is speed and maneuverability. For that reason, the tubing is thin and light, and the geometry (BB drop, wheelbase, seatstay length, head tube and seat tube angles) are chosen for those purposes. A 'touring bike', on the other hand, aims to be able to support a heavy load, to be stable with that load, and offer comfort for long hauls. For that, its BB drop is lower, its head and seat tubes slacker, its tubing heavier, its seats stays and wheelbase longer, and its got eyelets and bosses galore for bottle cages and racks. Yes, both types of bikes ride on 'roads, but then, a Stealth fighter and a 757 both also fly through the skies, a tug boat and a speed boat both ride waves. That they ride the same roads or media does not make them the same type of craft!