Pannier problem
 

I've been trying to use an old set of Kirtland Tour Pack rear panniers on the front rack of my Trek 520. I immediately have severe front wheel wobble or shimmy. I've moved the weight around within the bag trying to get the heavier stuff down and to the inside. I've been carrying about 10 pounds in each bag. I've got Ortlieb Classic panniers on the rear. The Kirtland bags have a large outside pocket as well as a small outside pocket in the front.
I've concluded that the outside pockets create too much wind confusion which wobbles the wheel. Does that seem possible? I'm thinking that my only answer is to buy real front panniers.

panner problem
 

i owned a trek 520 with panners stolen last week when mine was loaded with front and rear panners i had no wheel wobble. shift weight around more. zeke iam in springfield,ohio trying to figure out what i should do. bike stolen with all gear need to get to colorado by june 20.need bike ,not enough money for another.

What rack are you using? That can make a world of difference. I have seen poorly mounted Blackburn U-bolt style lowriders (the ones with the wheel hoop) wobble no matter what the load when they are not installed exactly right.

I ride with the blackburn lowriders that mount through fork eyelets (no hoop style), and they are very stable. I typically load my heaviest objects up front and down low in those panniers. My rear panniers are typically just clothing. Remember low and heavy, high and light. If you have a handlebar bag, ditch it. With this system, I can ride my LHT with no hands for miles, its more stable than a barge.

pannier problem
 

I'm using an AC Lowrider front rack which is mounted to the fork at the upper and lower eyelets. It seems very solid and secure. When I remove the front panniers completely, I have no wobble.

pannier problem
 

I'm using an AC Lowrider front rack which is mounted to the fork at the upper and lower eyelets. It seems very solid and secure. When I remove the front panniers completely, I have no wobble.

Answer:
 

Assuming you use a good front rack, it looks like you put too much weight in them.

Becasue it affects stirring, the WEIGHT capacity of the front panniers is actually smaller. They're best for high volume lightweight stuff, like clothing or sleeping bag.

You definitely don't have an aerodynamics problem - these effects comes at great speeds.

Some other issues to look at:

1. The farther the weight is from the stirring axis - the bigger the problem. Don't put heavy stuff like tools in those pockets.

2. The stiffness of the handlebar and stem has a big effect on a bike with fron panniers. Don't ride aluminum cast stems (like old TTT or cinelli), and use a wide handlebar.

Oren