Touring - rack top bags top heavy?

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fatigoworld
01-24-08, 05:59 PM
I am looking into buying the Ortlieb "Travel Biker" rack top bag....seen here

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=37&cid=2

the problem is that i dont want to use side panniers with it. will this be too top heavy? will it affect the handling too much?

Rob_E
01-24-08, 06:43 PM
Put something heavy on your rack and ride around. I've had stuff on mine with no panniers and it's noticeable, but perfectly manageable. More top heavy than nothing on the rack, but I've never felt particularly unsteady. But then I've never taken a tour that way either, just taken short jaunts. But get some weight up there and see how it feels. I'd rather have my stuff seated lower in panniers, but if that's not what you want to do, see how the bike handles with a comparable load. I doubt it'll be too bad.
fatigoworld
01-24-08, 06:51 PM
Put something heavy on your rack and ride around. I've had stuff on mine with no panniers and it's noticeable, but perfectly manageable. More top heavy than nothing on the rack, but I've never felt particularly unsteady. But then I've never taken a tour that way either, just taken short jaunts. But get some weight up there and see how it feels. I'd rather have my stuff seated lower in panniers, but if that's not what you want to do, see how the bike handles with a comparable load. I doubt it'll be too bad.

i havent bought the rack yet either so i cant try it out (was going to buy them together). although i am going to be doing long distance touring like this, not just short jaunts...

neilfein
01-24-08, 07:59 PM
It's noticeable, but whether it's a problem depends on how heavy your bike is. On my MTB with front and rear racks, I hardly notice my trunk bag is there unless it's very full indeed.
NoReg
01-24-08, 08:16 PM
If I haven't been on a loaded bike for a while, it feels bad for the first few minutes. Best not to try to get the jump on a truck. After a few minutes it all squares away. Most recently I moved my CG up conciderably on the front rack, same thing, it was fine after a few minutes. Doubtless there would be some extreme point above which it might be dangerous, but I haven't been close with my regular gear. I kepe my tent and sleeping bag on the rear rack, so I don't care for a bag there, but I guess others buy them.