I'm doing 'credit card' trips (hotels & hostels at night) and only use front panniers, a saddlebag for tools, and a small bag for daily stuff that's either on top of my front rack (Surly front rack) or rear rack. The steering can be a little sloppier with everything up front, but its usually just a matter of packing properly to correct it. Seems to work for me, YMMV. .