sorry, I disagree, ;) even with a non low trail fork any bike behaves uphill far better with front load. i toured for many years with only back load and and since some years i tour with only front load. with bikes prepared for back load and with low trail fork bikes.... any bike with back load makes your frame wobble left-right-left-right when climbing out of the saddle, also the energy and impact on the back wheel is very high. with front load a touring bike behaves just like a normal road bike, no back panniers doing their impact on ride quality. yes, steering with a non low trail fork is a bit of work. and with a low trail fork steering is super easy, a dream. one controls the bike, not the bike controls the rider.