What gearing do I need for loaded touring?

For loaded touring, you need lower gears than standard road bikes. A minimum low gear of 28×32 (0.88 ratio) is acceptable for moderate terrain, but 26×34 (0.76) or lower is better for mountainous tours. Sub-compact cranksets (48/32 or 46/30) paired with wide-range cassettes (11-34 or 11-36) are ideal. If your route includes steep climbs, consider a triple crankset or MTB derailleur with an even wider cassette. It's always better to have lower gears you don't need than to need lower gears you don't have.