Originally Posted by
gugie
Optimizing rear vs front loading of a bike depends on bike geometry. The OP's Sam Hillborne probably handles better rear loaded.
Low trail bikes handle better if you load a bit in the front, IMO, and it's a common opinion. For my main rider (low trail), If I'm carrying something, the first 10 lbs or so go in my handlebar bag. More than that and I add a seat bag, and start loading that. Anything more than that and I'll ride a different bike - an expedition tourer, to be added in my quiver in the future.
Yes, trail is definitely a design factor in how well a bike can handle a load. Here's a low-trail randonneur bike, loaded to the gills for bike camping. Notice how little is in the rear. In fact, it doesn't even have a rear rack. In a few days, this rider will shed some of that gear and will do the 1200km Paris Brest Paris randonnee.
