I was primarily touring with rear rack/panniers on my Vaya with a handlebar bag until I ran across an old jim blackburn front rack in a bike junkyard pile...i'm a total convert to the front rack with a large saddle bag now. I may carry less stuff over all, but it handles and tracks, especially at speed, much better than I expected. I had the biggest, dopiest smile on my face the first time I took it out with that setup.

Soon I will have the versatility I want: currently have Topeak trunk, Axiom Storm Watch rear panniers; adding front low riders with soon to arrive Blackburn front panniers, and looking for a brake boss mounted front rack. Pics if/when it is all together....

I have a Surly Midnight Special, with a Tubus rear rack on which I mount twin panniers, and a Surly 8-pack front rack (currently with a Wald basket mounted on it but that's not in this pic). I prefer the weight to be loaded primarily in the back, with the front as a supplement.

Edit -- just noticed this is an old thread

Here's with the basket in front. I had to mount it lengthwise because if mounted sideways it blocks my shifters.