only suckers commute with a load in the rear
08-28-12 | 04:13 PM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
08-28-12 | 04:23 PM
#53
"Fred"--is that bad?
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: 214 Represent!
Bikes: Felt f85 (11); Trek 7.3 FX (07); Schwinn Super Sport (86); Specialized Rockhopper (87)
This very topic was beaten into submission in the touring forum not too long ago.
As I remember, the final consensus was YMMV
As I remember, the final consensus was YMMV
08-28-12 | 05:08 PM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
08-28-12 | 05:30 PM
#55
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
08-28-12 | 06:11 PM
#56
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
I can't believe this thread has gone on for three pages. Just do whatever blows your hair back.
08-28-12 | 06:43 PM
#57
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
So true.
08-29-12 | 04:35 AM
#59
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,667
Likes: 1,982
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
08-29-12 | 06:52 AM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
So not only am I a sucker for putting my panniers in the back most of the time, I also look ridiculous for wearing a rain cape when it rains. This forum is doing wonders for my self esteem. :-P
08-29-12 | 07:39 AM
#61
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 4,125
From: Phx, AZ
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
My first job as a paperboy yrs ago we used front bags something like picture 9 (1950s) in the link below:
https://lfia.org/RegPages/History.shtml
I was so small and wimpie I had to walk the bike the first couple of Sundays.
Nice bikes OP.
https://lfia.org/RegPages/History.shtml
I was so small and wimpie I had to walk the bike the first couple of Sundays.
Nice bikes OP.
08-29-12 | 07:58 AM
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
08-29-12 | 08:04 AM
#63
On the lam
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,470
Likes: 96
From: The Village
Unlike the OP, I purposely keep as much load weight to the rear rack as I possibly can, and if I do happen to carry any loads on the front rack, they are as light as I can possibly make them. On my urban combat commute, I like to keep my steering as light/nimble as possible.
Entertaining thread. A bit pointless..
08-29-12 | 09:56 AM
#67
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I taught him everything he knows.
08-29-12 | 11:13 AM
#70
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,769
Likes: 3,939
From: Louisville, KY
I tend to carry most of my weight around my midsection. Oh wait, is this not the Clyde and Athena forum?
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
08-29-12 | 11:19 AM
#71
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
Looks like this topic will be beaten to death here, as well.
Assuming you have normal body proportions, a bike is more or less balanced fore and aft when riding unloaded. Most bike designs aim for a roughly 40/60 f/r weight distribution. Any weight added to the front OR rear will unbalance the bike from its designed weight distribution. Most people find handling less adversly impacted by adding extra load to the rear first, and then rebalancing by adding load to the front.
Assuming you have normal body proportions, a bike is more or less balanced fore and aft when riding unloaded. Most bike designs aim for a roughly 40/60 f/r weight distribution. Any weight added to the front OR rear will unbalance the bike from its designed weight distribution. Most people find handling less adversly impacted by adding extra load to the rear first, and then rebalancing by adding load to the front.
