bronskcloosper

I'm going on a fairly lengthy tour this summer (Seattle to San Francisco) and this is my first tour (besides organized rides) so I'm buying panniers. Since my budget is very tight I'm just buying rear panniers and packing all in the rear. I see most people have front panniers also but I definately can't afford those right now so if I pack all in the rear will it really screw up my control of the bike?

Machka 

I've taken my rear panniers and put them on the front. The ideal weight distribution is 60% of the weight in the front and 40% in the back.

See photo for what my setup looks like:

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NoReg

Not really, that used to be how people toured. The front panier may not exactly be new, but it wasn't always in the scene.

On the other hand a front rack can usually be had for 15 bucks, and paniers are often 30-40 bucks. The main advantage is having more space for bulky items like fresh food, or clothes if you are large. The bags are already desinged to fit on the smallest bikes out there, so knocking down the number of bags can prove too sparse. I don't carry heavy stuff but sometimes it's bulky.

mtnroads

A lot depends on the bike, the load, and your awareness of it. First of all, putting all the weight on the rear increases the load on the rear wheel, and it already carries about 2/3 on a typical touring bike. On weak wheels it could become problematic. Secondly, it can throw some stress into the frame that could make it feel unbalanced. I felt that my Trek 520 flexed somewhat with just rear panniers and 35lbs on the rear rack, especially on bumpy winding downhill sections, or when climbing out of the saddle. It had a bit of wiggle, but never particularly dangerous. With the load distributed across front and rear together it feels a lot more stable. My aluminum Cannondale on the other hand, doesn't seem to notice much one way or the other as the frame is considerably stiffer.

acantor

I tour with rear panniers only. If this causes problems with handling, I haven't noticed. But I have nothing to compare to. I have always toured this way. My touring bikes do feel a bit twitchy at first, but I get used to it quickly, and then don't notice. I don't recall ever taking a tumble on a tour, or feeling I was about to lose control because of the weight distribution.

My guess is that it is a matter of scale. I weight about 160 lbs, and I have 15 to 20 lbs. hanging off or sitting on the rear rack. So it's similar to riding as a 180 lb rider. If I were to carry 50 lbs, I might do things differently.

Bekologist

I toured with rear only bags twenty years ago, and think you'll be fine either way, but the handling of a fully racked, well loaded touring bike is way advantageous.

I cannot recommend the front and rear pannier system strongly enough.

How about you get some Jandd pannier hooks and you make a set of panniers out of a set of small backpacks or buckets, and spend your extra lucre on a Jandd or other front rack? the hooks are like, five or six bucks a set i think. We sell them at Greggs Greenlake Cycle.

you may also find it tough to fit everything on the rear only system unless you use very ultralight stuff OR strap stuff on top of the rack.

super-douper

I only have rears. I found that it helped a lot to try and put the heavy stuff forward of the rear axle. Once I put my tent sideways across the rack in front of the rear axle the bike handled much bettter. Less wobbles on downhills and easier to walk the bike too. Sometimes a bike is hard to walk when the front end is so light.

another problem I run into is space for food. With only 2 rears I generally have to pack them full of stuff for the tour, and that doesn't include much food. So when i shop it takes a while to find a place for all the stuff.

on the 4pannier side...my last tour the guys with 4 panniers overpacked because the space was there.

arctos

After trying most every permutation of pannier setup, twenty years ago I settled on front panniers only like Machka but added a large dry bag stuffer on the rear rack lengthwise for bulky items like clothes,shelter and sleeping bag.

It does require careful gear selection but the lighter weight makes the riding easier and more fun. I have used this setup internationally in undeveloped countries such as Ecuador and Mexico without running out of space to carry what I need rather than what things I might want.

This has reduced or eliminated damage to rear wheels since the wheel does not slam into potholes or offroad obstacles but articulates over them after I lift the front wheel and panniers over first. I am no lightweight at 6ft plus and 225# yet I use 36 hole 700C rims and 1.75in tires on my BG RNR without a problem.

A second benefit that I found useful on the Divide Ride and other trail riding is the ability to push a loaded bike directly without hitting wide rear panniers with my legs. It is much easier to control the bike while walking and pushing.

Also when using public transport having fewer bags reduces hassles. I often can carry everything on the plane train or bus preventing losses in baggage handling. Then I only need worry about the bike is treated!

gpsblake

I just use a front bag and a rear rack with metal panniers already built on it. I've never had any problem with handling at all nor with spokes/wheel problems . But I also use a mountain bike to tour with.

You'll be fine as long as you don't get really heavy with the weight. And if you are really heavy with the weight of your gear, time to start ditching some stuff.

good luck.

lighthorse@eart

Brons,
I use a road bike to tour with rear panniers only. The bike, when loaded in this manner, handles differently than when I have no load. Just load your bike up and train with it that way for a few miles and you will get used to it.

paul2

I usually tour with front and rear panniers, but have occasionally tour with just the rear ones. While the handling is better with front panniers, it's not horrible with just rear. Lots of people tour with just rear panniers. It's not a problem.

Alex L

Yes, this is important to put the heavy stuff not only towards the rear axle but towards the seatpost also.
I used the front panniers when I carried my wife’s gear and mine both. It was 71 lbs without food: my bike with our gear. She rode an unloaded road bike to equalize my speed and hers and for my fitness as well.
We almost don’t use front racks in Russia, we use mono volume rear pannier 60-100 liter for bike touring. The main tip is to allocate weight properly inside the pannier. This method has some advantages: gear/racks+panniers weight ratio is better for example. Maybe this is our tradition as well. Of course, if you carry heavy total weight, the front rack with the panniers is reasonable.
P.S.
The lady on the pictures is not my wife.

nm+

I used to do it.
It causes issues on steep hills, the front wheel becomes very light no matter how you shift your wieght.
However, its much easier to control on a flat bar with bar ends than a drop bar

Johnny Vagabond

I have a question that is a little more involed with this issue. To put it bluntly: what about using a Trek 520 with rear bags and a B.O.B.? I can understand how the front end would feel especially ligthened, and thus, less comfortable. Would it be better to put some of the weight on the front, i.e. get some front bags?

Blackberry

+1. My experience to a tee.

My only other suggestion: if you don't need something, fuggetaboutit. Every tour I take less stuff.

mobilemail

Some of your answer depends on your tour. If you are hotel touring w/ lots of restaurant stops and minimalist packing, just rears will probably be great. But if you are camping and fully self-supported with food, extra water, etc. I would recommend front and back. The weight can be balanced better over the whole bike, which makes it easier to handle both on and off the bike.
As far as the BOB goes, if you have a trailer and still need anything more than a handlebar bag, you may be overpacking!! (Unless you do what I've done, carry your wife's gear as well to balance out the speed and workload expectations.)