Originally Posted by
Ridefreemc
How did the bike handle with all that weight up front? I want to take a long tour with my gear setup close to the way you have it. I don't like a heavier rear end of the bike with rear panniers because I don't like the overall feel of the ride (and when walking beside the bike it tends to want to fall over and then the front of the bike is hard to handle as it flies upwards and then over). However, I took a light tour with just my hammock and light sleeping bag on a front rack (above the fender) and the bike was slightly unstable (steering only) and I could not go "no-handed" which I like to do (to my mom's chagrin!). I would probably have a heavier load in my saddlebag than you appear to, and my front panniers are smaller and lower than yours (and possibly a lighter load).
My ride is a Velo_Orange Campeur
above fender should be very light, here in the handle bar bag I have light clothing, camera and food when needed, maps, phone, thats it. if you load heavy high steering is not fun anymore. so all other stuff down in the panniers. with this setup I could do summer touring for several month, why carry more if you need to wash stuff anyway every 1-2days... having no weight in the back make the bike feel like a normal road bike, great handling climbing, specially climbing out of the saddle. no pudding frame under your ass ....
like with back load. I toured many years with back load, BIG panniers, carrying stuff nobody needs
on my next tour I will skip the saddle bag again, only spare tire tied to the saddle, tools will go to the front rack again. this Ortliebs can carry 35L enough.
read this please:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/defa...tage_Heine.pdf
here some pictures of touring 4 weeks Romania summer 2014 and 2015
https://stefanrohner.exposure.co/romania
https://www.flickr.com/photos/427437...57656536096016