Road bike with trailer?

I'm going to be riding cross-country this summer. I have an aluminum road
bike and a
Burley two-wheel trailer.

I've thought about investing in a bona fide touring bike, but I'm not sure
it's necessary.
I won't be carrying panniers, so I don't (think I) need a specially sturdy
bike. My wheels
have 32 spokes, so I think they're sturdy enough to handle the trailer.

Any advice?

-- Paul

Paul A. Steckler wrote:
I'm going to be riding cross-country this summer. I have an aluminum
road bike and a
Burley two-wheel trailer.

I've thought about investing in a bona fide touring bike, but I'm not
sure it's necessary.
I won't be carrying panniers, so I don't (think I) need a specially
sturdy bike. My wheels
have 32 spokes, so I think they're sturdy enough to handle the
trailer.
Any advice?

You'll be happiest with a bike that fits well for many hours a day, and it
would seem you already have that.

You will probably want to carry sufficient tools to repair a broken spoke on
the rear wheel, drive side. That's true, regardless of your wheel.

--
Mike Kruger
An opinion should be the result of a thought, not a substitute for it.
[Jef Mallet]

Paul A. Steckler wrote:
I'm going to be riding cross-country this summer. I have an aluminum road
bike and a
Burley two-wheel trailer.

I've thought about investing in a bona fide touring bike, but I'm not sure
it's necessary.
I won't be carrying panniers, so I don't (think I) need a specially sturdy
bike. My wheels
have 32 spokes, so I think they're sturdy enough to handle the trailer.

Any advice?

I'd suggest looking at a one wheel trailer as well. Much easier as you
are not looking for three wheel tracks.

I've toured for so long on crappy bikes, old racing bikes, chinese junk,
etc, it doesn't really matters.