It's not a question of whether there are advantages to having a bigger bike, I think it's more of a question of: Do you need a bigger bike to tour for a week or two once a year? The answer, at least in my view is no. You don't need a bigger bike. It's ok to downshift sometimes, it doesn't have to be a perfect experience, but it's ok, it's more than manageable. In fact, it's a downright pleasant experience.
