Originally Posted by
L134
I have read this claim before and have to think this is a matter of personal preference. I've toured with panniers on the front on tandem but never on single until this past week when I did a test overnighter with front and rear on a single. I can't say I liked it. I haven't given up on it but I don't much like the momentum of that extra weight in the steering. I find the bike is also much more unweildy at low speeds and when managing the bike at times when not actually riding. For me, for now, unless I needed the extra capacity, I would stick with rear panniers.
While what someone likes to do is personal preference (as is all things touring), it isnt a matter of preference that a front loaded bike steers slower and tracks straighter(which is how i defined 'better'). It certainly requires more effort to turn as a result.
All that is physics.
Again though, whether a person likes that or not is a different story.
I clarified what i mean by 'better' - that is stabilized steering which is slower and steadier.
If that isnt better for you, then front panniers arent a good option.
If 'better' to you means twitchier and nimble steering, then all weight on the back is probably best.
I have found that standing out of the staddle is stabler with front bags only, especially when climbing. The left and right shifting of weight(wiggle) isnt as pronoinced, for me, with front bags compared to rear.