rack top bags top heavy?
01-24-08 | 06:59 PM
#1
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rack top bags top heavy?
I am looking into buying the Ortlieb "Travel Biker" rack top bag....seen here
https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=37&cid=2
the problem is that i dont want to use side panniers with it. will this be too top heavy? will it affect the handling too much?
https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=37&cid=2
the problem is that i dont want to use side panniers with it. will this be too top heavy? will it affect the handling too much?
01-24-08 | 07:43 PM
#2
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Downtube 8H, Surly Troll
Put something heavy on your rack and ride around. I've had stuff on mine with no panniers and it's noticeable, but perfectly manageable. More top heavy than nothing on the rack, but I've never felt particularly unsteady. But then I've never taken a tour that way either, just taken short jaunts. But get some weight up there and see how it feels. I'd rather have my stuff seated lower in panniers, but if that's not what you want to do, see how the bike handles with a comparable load. I doubt it'll be too bad.
01-24-08 | 07:51 PM
#3
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Put something heavy on your rack and ride around. I've had stuff on mine with no panniers and it's noticeable, but perfectly manageable. More top heavy than nothing on the rack, but I've never felt particularly unsteady. But then I've never taken a tour that way either, just taken short jaunts. But get some weight up there and see how it feels. I'd rather have my stuff seated lower in panniers, but if that's not what you want to do, see how the bike handles with a comparable load. I doubt it'll be too bad.
01-24-08 | 08:59 PM
#4
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From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
It's noticeable, but whether it's a problem depends on how heavy your bike is. On my MTB with front and rear racks, I hardly notice my trunk bag is there unless it's very full indeed.
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01-24-08 | 09:16 PM
#5
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If I haven't been on a loaded bike for a while, it feels bad for the first few minutes. Best not to try to get the jump on a truck. After a few minutes it all squares away. Most recently I moved my CG up conciderably on the front rack, same thing, it was fine after a few minutes. Doubtless there would be some extreme point above which it might be dangerous, but I haven't been close with my regular gear. I kepe my tent and sleeping bag on the rear rack, so I don't care for a bag there, but I guess others buy them.
