Comments on: Where to Best Carry A Load When Bicycle Touring: Front or Rear Panniers?

By: Altimis Nuel

Altimis Nuel — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 04:56:00 +0000

This is no-brainer . . . .

Front loading never be good, its affect steering directly, let’s alone wind gust.

In most case, front loads always inferior.

By: Mattis

Mattis — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 01:22:00 +0000

There is actually another problem with back-only panniers, if you lean back while riding with no hands (which usually increase stability) the load on your front wheel is pretty low and the wheel can easily flip really fast. This lead to an accident of mine where I was rather lucky (and did an imperfect judo falling) as I got off with a fucked up rim and a wound on my ellbow. Now there was also the issue that the steel rack that oscillated, not as much but almost as fatal as the Tacoma Narrow Bridge due to the free-handed balancing, this shouldn’t happen with aluminum or sturdy steel racks though.

By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com

Alee | CyclingAbout.com — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:56:00 +0000

In reply to John Miller. I'd say it's almost all applicable; unless you have light-ish wheels. In that case it'll be best to keep as much weight off the rear wheel as possible.

By: John Miller

John Miller — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:56:00 +0000

Hi Alee, how do you think this information translates to touring on a fully loaded tandem?

By: timcarouge

timcarouge — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:39:00 +0000

The answer to the title is: a single 20-25l pannier, adapted to be used as a handlebar bag.

By: Alee | CyclingAbout.com

Alee | CyclingAbout.com — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 22:35:00 +0000

In reply to Rob Muhlestein. The front load definitely reduces stresses to the rear wheel. That said, a good quality touring wheel that is maintained well shouldn't have any issues with a rear load – that's what they're designed to handle after all! And the key to no-handed riding is definitely a lightweight handlebar bag. Keep just the essentials in there. :)

By: Rob Muhlestein

Rob Muhlestein — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 12:37:00 +0000

Love this article. I have not been touring much (but a cyclist my whole life). One consideration others have mentioned is weight distribution on the wheels and tires and frame. Although the Marrakesh (Salsa’s spelling) doesn’t blink at 50 lbs packed front and back I have noticed spokes loosen and seem to come untrue more on the rear without any particularly traumatic riding (roads and gravel), I wonder if more low load on the front enables the beefy front fork and wheel to reduce stress on the rear wheel, (where a spoke change is much harder). I still struggle with a configuration that will allow me really confident no-hands riding for the same type of stretching you mention, which I think is critical. (I lightened handlebar bag significantly and it helped.)

By: toboev

toboev — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 17:31:00 +0000

In reply to Danske_Statsbananer. Thanks for your replies Danske. You make some good points. They would be better received without the ad hominem rejoinders - not sure why you feel compelled to add them each time.

By: Danske_Statsbananer

Danske_Statsbananer — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 16:54:00 +0000

In reply to toboev. No, I mean like people wore Wayfarer sunglasses 30 years ago, and it has lately become fashionable again. Some people never stopped, but popularity has risen. You're not very bright, are you?!

By: toboev

toboev — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:21:00 +0000

In reply to Danske_Statsbananer. You mean, like people wore shoes 30 years ago, but lately it has become fashionable?