Thanks for your insights. I am looking into affordable front racks, it seems like a dark, dark world. (I would rather not one of the un-reinforced models twist into my wheel, no thanks, but at least the Nashbar model has an over-the-wheel strut.)

Instead of dealing with the limitations of trying to use full-size panniers on the front, I may look into cheaper panniers for up there. A pair of Ortlieb front-rollers are slightly more expensive as the back rollers! Though I know someone who is looking to sell his for $100, so I may bite the bullet for those (even though they are the incorrect COLORWAY).

I am not throwing all my theories out, however, since I think that addressed individually or all together they would improve the handling of the bike no matter how it's loaded front to rear.