Originally Posted by
timdow
I have run the Tubus Tara in the past, and now use the Racktime Topit. I happen to like the load being a bit higher. For your wife's bike, using the Topit would eliminate disc brake clearance issues as it is installed higher.
brake clearance issues "usually" are not that complicated to find a work around
and I would add another voice to the view that riding with front panniers lower down certainly is more stable and easier to ride with, depending on load weight, surfaces you are riding on, and rider biking skills.
unfortunately, the only way for this fellow and his wife to know and judge what they are comfortable with is to actually try the setups....