Hello

On my new bike, I'd like to keep things light and simple, and not install a rear-rack and a pair of bags like I used to do.

Instead, I'm thinking of putting the weight on the front wheel, and use either:
- a porteur rack
- a front-rack to which I could hang some kind of courrier backpack and a second bag when I go grocery shopping.

The first solution lets me use a regular bags (backpack and grocery bag) instead of bicycle bags meant to hang from racks, but it adds some weight higher up while the front-rack solution keeps the center of gravity low.

What do you think?

Thank you.

I like porteur racks. It's the best if the bike is designed for them though, the handling gets a little funny otherwise.

porteur racks may limit where you can park, our bike racks have big openings, but I don't think many porteur racks will fit

Right, I hadn't thought of the parking issue :-/

It's only a rare inconvenience to me, and I ride with a porteur rack all the time. I sometimes put the rear tire in the rack.

Marc

I love my Gomah porteur rack and I use it daily on my commuter bike. When you start putting around 25 pounds or more on the front, then things get a little wonky. I just ride slower to be safe.

The porteur rack is more versatile to me. I can quickly add a basket or cargo net or a couple of bungee cords and carry most things. When I had the low riders and panniers on the front of my touring bike, I was limited on what I could carry. Plus I hated the way it handled.

You could have the best of both worlds if you bought a rack like Pass and Stow. You get the porteur rack plus a place to hang bags if need be. Check it ou online it is quite nice.

Thanks for the feedback. The Pass & Stow rack looks nice.