since years front load only. the advantage comes when you ride uphill, no back panniers waving "left-right-left-right" like a BIG ship on high sea, the bike with front load behaves nearly like a normal road bike when climbing and climbing out of the saddle. a "low trail" fork gives you easy steering .. downhill, uphill, off road, anywhere .. its great!

P.S. my tent poles fit easy diagonal in Ortlieb panniers 10 and 15L