Originally Posted by
dynaryder
I'd go with the wider tires. Not only will you be carrying more weight,but the extra length of longtails gives more leverage to bumps in the back. Instead of the bump-bump of a regular bike,you get a bump...Bump! on a longtail.
Are you referring to actual stresses on parts? I ask because I've only ever known longer wheelbases to ride better, which makes sense because the rider is, relatively, closer to the fulcrum that the front wheel acts as when the rear hits a bump.