Originally Posted by Walter S (Post 17259298)

For commuting I like smaller front panniers better than rear ones. I find pushing the load up hills is easier than pulling the load up hills.

Originally Posted by spoiledrotten (Post 17259087)

I had no idea what a "pannier" was until I opened this thread. So a dry bag for kayaks is a pannier for bikes. I didn't even know I had a few panniers. :lol:

Originally Posted by old's'cool (Post 17263508)

I would love to see a physics analysis behind that.

Originally Posted by jsdavis (Post 17264405)

Sort of...Some of the Ortlieb bags are rolled closed like dry bags. The surface that faces inboard towards the bike generally has something inside to stiffen it like a plastic sheet to prevent it from going into the wheel. Usually there are two or three hooks attached to secure the bag to the rack - 2 upper hooks to hold the weight and a lower hook to prevent the bag from swinging out sideways.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 17265116)

With panniers on the front, the panniers are near my hands when I stand up and pull on the bars. This means I don't have to twist the frame as I do when the panniers are instead on the rear.

Originally Posted by old's'cool (Post 17267675)

I would love to see a physics analysis behind that. ;)

Originally Posted by old's'cool (Post 17267675)

I would love to see a physics analysis behind that. ;)

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 17267836)

OK, OK, I don't know how to do this. Does it make any sense at all to you? Can I improve my description? I was surprised at what an improvement it was, especially since I expected no improvement at all.

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 17268043)

I'm experiencing the lack of frame flex. The more weight on the back, the more the frame flexes when I stand up to pedal.

Originally Posted by Clyde1820 (Post 17259235)

Heel strike shouldn't be an issue on a bike that's long enough for basic stability, one with long enough chain stays, a rack that's not tucked closely to the seat tube. Get the fattest, largest panniers that exist, and you'll likely be hitting your feet against them, sure. But if just commuting, you can generally get by with panniers smaller than the larger, typically rear-oriented bags. Such as, going down from the Ortlieb Back Roller bag to the Front Roller bag. It'll take up less space, be less likely to strike.