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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,212
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
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In general terms there is:
- loaded touring where you are carrying camping gear on your bike in panniers, can be two or for panniers or less commonly in a trailer, or both,
- credit card touring where you are staying in motels or B&B over night, eating in restaurants, etc., in which case only a change of clothes and tooth brush is needed,
- and bikepacking which is a fairly new term that has been applied to carrying a minimalist amount of camping gear on the bike without using racks.
You did not clarify which you are talking about.
But your concerns about your current bike are valid concerns. Bikepacking and credit card touring can be done with a minimal amount of gear and without racks. I have seen people using bikepacking gear on road bikes on paved roads, so if you do an internet search and only find mountain bikes, do not worry about that.
If you have the the funds, you could start out credit card touring and see how you like it. Then if that works, then add the camping gear later.
I picked up a pair of panniers at a swap meet for maybe $15 that were in nearly new condition. And another pair at a garage sale for less than $10. Deals are out there if you watch and get lucky.