Originally Posted by Simon Cowbell

Weight on the front adds weight overall (in the rack and bags,) but getting the bike balanced front to rear takes weight off the rear tire and makes for a more stable ride.

I TOTALLY AGREE. IT TOOK MY FEEBLE MIND YEARS TO FIGURE THIS ONE OUT!

Another reason I'd recommend a front rack system is that if you decide to do a super lightweight trip later on, you'd have the option of leaving the rear panniers home and using the front panniers for gear with a bedroll on the back, which is my preferred way of packing. Here again, I think a bike just handles better packed this way. I've had front panniers for years and only bought rear ones last year.

I DID IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, BUT NOW IF I GO LIGHT I LOAD THE FRONT BEFORE I'D LOAD THE REAR.

Carrying too much won't kill ya.

I'M LIVING PROOF OF THIS ONE. LOL! I'M STILL BREATHING.