dmitchell

Since I'm working at home at the moment and for the foreseeable future, I like to ride to my office and back over lunch break.... But at some point hopefully I can resume commuting again, and I will need to carry typical stuff (clothes, lunch, laptop, layers). What is everyone's preference for front or rear rack for a pair of panniers when the need arises for me to carry gear once again? My previous ride had a rear rack, but I just picked up a nice new Surly Bridge Club this summer and it has mountings for a front rack as well.

pdlamb

My vote is for a rear rack.

Some people say a rear rack overweights the back, making bike handling squirrely.

My normal commute load is around 5-10 pounds (panniers, clothes, shoes, and sometimes lunch). Putting that much on the front is enough to make a bike handle like a pig.

On the other other hand, the Bridge Club has a short rake, which might make handling with a front load better. If you can borrow a rack (perhaps try one at your LBS) and load it up, you can try it and see which one you like best.

79pmooney

Front is my preference by far. I love to climb out of the saddle and weight on LowRider panniers barely affects how the bike feels when standing. (I've loaded each to 20 pounds.) It does stabilize and slow steering. For year round commuting this can be a real asset. Steering in snow and on ice improves. (My years in Ann Arbor, there were hills I could only get up in winter on my fix gear when I loaded the panniers with books; often just for the weight.) RR tracks are less likely to grab your wheel.

By contrast, if you stand and rock the bike. you have to resist the leverage of the weight in rear panniers with your arms. It's hard and it gets old.

Koyote

Another advantage to a front rack: if you are OCD about your cargo, it allows you to always keep an eye on it.

Only disadvantage with a bike like yours: it will slow your steering a bit at very low speeds...But that is almost a non-issue with normal loads. At speed, you won't even feel the weight.

BobbyG

Here's what I do:

Darth Lefty 

Most of the bikes I've commuted with take a back rack. It's pretty unnoticeable while riding on the level. But when handling the bike at a walk it's awkward, and two old steel bikes have given me head shake with a top rack case.

gsa103

That seems like it would be really difficult to get a leg over?

Darth Lefty 

No worse than a tandem or a kid seat

BobbyG

I step over the top tube, although every once in a while I forget.

bOsscO

You'd look pro swinging a leg over the handlebars.

gsa103

The other trick is being a pro so you can have 8" of bar drop to make it easy.

Notso_fastLane

I throw everything in the back of my velomobile.

Germany_chris

Front..yes please, Rear yes please..clearing my home mind, yes please clearing my work mind, yes please..

Carry your crap on whatever end you want they both have their benefits but the most important is to ride yer bike as it's the most important part

Papa Tom

Rear rack. Full stop.

noglider 

A rear rack is easier to install. It also doesn't interfere with your headlight but it could interfere with your taillight. I've spent most of my life with rear racks but I think @79pmooney is right that the bike handles better with stuff on the front. I put a front rack and panniers on my racing bike, and I was really impressed.

HenryhHuber

I think what's been said about front racks and bike steering/feel is correct. However for day to day commuting there is 1 reason rear may be a better choice. Front panniers have to be more thoughtfully balanced.

with a rear rack if you take only 1 pannier some days or dont spend a lot of time balancing the weight, it's not so bad and you quickly adjust.

With a front rack you have to be more careful how you balance things, and taking only 1 pannier some days wouldn't handle very well.

that said, ride what you want!!

SalsaShark

Both....because sometimes you need to stop for groceries on the way home!

Trevtassie

A rear rack with a big basket on top is pretty useful. Junk and loose items like jackets etc can go in the basket with a cargo net over the top. You can also get rain covers. Panniers go on the lower bars below the basket. That's what I tour with. Tubus rack with a set of low rider pannier bars below the main deck. For touring I use a light weight wire basket. For commuting I'd say see if you can find an OGK plastic basket from Japan. Those things are super quality and really tough. I have one on my shopping bike, I carried a mate in it the other day from one pub to another pub, he had fairly slim hips so that made things easier for him, wasn't worried about the basket, you can invert it and stand on it.. Also easier because he was counter balanced by the dude on the handlebars, and it was downhill or flat the whole way. Having a loaded basket on the front causes wheel flop, you can counter that with a velo orange steering stabiliser but better to not have the issue in the first place.

noglider 

Front panniers are susceptible to crosswinds. When they are bad, they fight to steer your bike the wrong way.