Originally Posted by
L134
And what does physics say about a gusting cross wind catching front panniers? I'm afraid physics cuts both ways in real world touring. I'm not arguing against front panniers at all but I am very skeptical of a blanket statement about their being more stable or "better."
I won't say that front only is flat out better, but I have found it very satisfactory. A couple points:
- Gusting wind... I rode the Pacific coast with front only and didn't notice that side wind was any more of an issue than with rear panniers. Maybe it depends on the distribution of area relative to the axis if the head tube and a different setup might be different. It is a different feel, but it wasn't like I was getting blown around more.
- Sluggish steering... I don't find that I typically steer a bike so much by turning the bars as by leaning. The turning of the bars is secondary after the turn is initiated. If going very slowly that becomes less true, but not until going quite slowly. The result is that steering is just fine. The bike does feel different, but I actually find that the "wag the dog" feel of rear panniers that cyccommute mentioned might be worse.