Originally Posted by
HendersonD
The new Trek 520 I purchased comes with a front and rear rack installed. The front does appear to have several different heights that panniers can be installed. I will give a front set of panniers a try. It does sound like having a front set would be the best way to balance out weight and give me some extra space for things like groceries. I think the key is to still try and limit my load to 30lbs. In other words, do not completely fill either the front or rear panniers just because I have the extra space. With this setup it sounds like the only thing that might go on the top of my rear rack is a tent and poles
I do my farmer's market shopping with four small Ortleibs. Apples, pears and hard veggies go in front. So do any jars. Blocks of cheese. Heavy items. Delicate fruit and greens go in back. (The front panniers are much harder on delicate stuff, much like they are much harder on rims.) I roll the tops down all the way on partial loads. If not enough to be able to roll down securely, I put a jacket or the like over the goods, then roll. If I am going to buy light or if I'm taking my fix gear, it's front panniers only. (It's 9 miles and 500' of climbing home. A poor riding bike isn't fun.)
I don't know if I"ll ever tour again, esp with outdoor camping. (Too many old injuries to get comfortable sleeping.) But if I do (or if I did 30 years ago with a younger body!), I'd simply use my four small panniers and use the rear rack for tent and sleeping bag. (And pay REI to waterproof my old "2-man 3 season" tent - one of the early "light" tents, ~ 4 pounds. Brought it out after years of dis-use, last time out being in a cow pasture!. Scrubbed it clean, rode Cycle Oregon with it and discovered - yeah! this tent is wonderful! and it leaks like a sieve! Rainiest Cycle Oregon in anybody's memory. Memories of sailing the Atlantic wet.)
Oh, I'd also bring tops and bottoms of both lightweight and medium or heavy weight thermal underwear. They take up little space, are wonderful to sleep in and if the weather turns, could be both a blessing and a lifesaver. And if it doesn't, they make really good gear padding and silencers.