Originally Posted by
Trentkln27
I've changed steeds. While testing with my beloved fuji sportif i found I was getting to much heal strike sometimes and I couldn't get wide enough tires under it to smooth it out. I now have an Ozark trail that I've upgraded the drivetrain on and outfitted with the touring gear I already owned. Food and cooking supplies will go in my front paniers and snacks and other items I want on hand will be in the handle bar bag and top tube bag. My few changes of clothes a multi tool and a few extra parts will be kept in the rear bags with the tent strapped the the top of the rack. I'm hoping this brings the weight forward enough to keep the front end down on climbs. I may move things as I figure out my best strategy
Although some of an improvement, I think the Ozark suffers from many of the same problems as modern “touring bikes”. They are almost all too short for the job. Look at the pannier placement on my 2011 Cannondale touring bike compared to your bike.
Here, I’ll make it easier. You can see that the Cannondale is quite a bit longer than the Ozark, especially in the chainstay. The Ozark has a 440mm (17.3”) chainstay vs the 460mm chainstay of the Cannondale. The short chainstay makes for a nimble bike in the parking lot but when it is loaded, the load is pushed back behind the axle of the bike. This is going to result in a bike that is wagged by its tail. You can see where the axle is on my bike compared to your bike. I have no problem with kicking the panniers even when they are a bit large, They aren’t as large as your RockBros, however.
The other problem with your panniers is that large panniers encourage you to carry more stuff. More stuff moved behind the axle results in more tail wagging. Although you are a bit committed at this point, a larger
front bag would be helpful in your situation to help with handling. As it is load the small heavy stuff you might carry into the front bags and keep the rear for light bulky stuff. You might also want to consider a front deck so that you can carry the tent up there to even out the load.