Originally Posted by
Veloria
It is interesting to me, that most people I know in the real world who have ridden low trail bicycles, report disliking the handling - often, intensely so. This is a sharp contrast to how much this feature is praised in BQ.
The lowest trail bike I own has 54.5mm trail, which is really neutral. It handles splendidly loaded and unloaded, as does my Rivendell with (I think) 56mm trail. The Rivendell I have ridden with close to 20lb on the front, and it acted indifferent to the weight. But I am curious to try lower and compare.
Well, count me among the low-trail converts. I've tried long-trail (~6cm) bikes with bar bags, and the handling was without exception atrocious. They over-steered (fell into turns) with a vengance, and wobbled so badly that it was impossible to ride no-hands. My low-trail Kogswell P/R (4cm trail) is totally indifferent to front load, and handles with aplomb and precision, regardless of speed and conditions. 'Course that's with 700x32c tires. From what I've heard low-trail and skinny tires is a whole nother can o' worms.
SP
Bend, OR