I think a bike looks and feels incredibly unbalanced with just two big stuffed rear panniers. Like many here have stated, the super noodly rear-end just isn't desirable. And, if you're carrying so much stuff that you're filling two big panniers, why not balance the load a bit more and carry some gear up front? Like Samwise Gamgee says, "share the load".
-Brian Lex KY On Friday, February 2, 2024 at 7:54:54 AM UTC-5 Ron Mc wrote: > If we're comparing front loads, poppers and ribs > > [image: wVRl7xH.jpg] [image: 4MaD0iL.jpg] > [image: hws6znn.jpg] [image: Sn20Bp4.jpg] > > > On Friday, February 2, 2024 at 12:15:37 AM UTC-6 kiziria...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> Best is both worlds! A 137 up front with either my swift sugarloaf or >> shopsack and 1 or 2 panniers in the rear. About all one could ask for with >> nearly all day-long commuting or utilitarian purposes. I scored the most >> recent version of an Ortlieb Vario off eBay. That has been the ultimate >> solution. As much as I despise the hyper-engineered materials and >> manufacturing processes, they have come up with a design so good that it >> has reduced my resistance to some rides previously (needing a backpack, but >> not wanting to carry one, and not wanting to put it awkwardly in a basket, >> or another pannier). I've gotten it down to maybe 3-5 seconds to switch >> between pannier and backpack. What seals the deal, is that it holds weight >> *exceptionally >> well* as a backpack and is very comfortable, which I think no other >> convertible backpack/panniers previously do very well. I use it every day >> and carry significant weight of a mobile office into a co-working space. >> Even if I paid full price, the value is very much there for me. >> >> On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:51:20 PM UTC-8 ack...@gmail.com wrote: >> >>> There's no right or wrong way to carry your gear. Front baskets and bags >>> are convenient for quick-grab city use. I also prefer the way bikes handle >>> with front weight. A lot of us can't stand that tail-wiggle that comes from >>> overloaded rear panniers. I know that I would rather do a Costco run or >>> carry my cornhole boards on a front rack with bungee cords. I have tried it >>> all and I will never ride with rear saddlebags again unless I'm on a long >>> tour and my my handlebar-mounted Large Fabios's Chest, Swift Industries Jr. >>> Ranger Panniers attached to my Pass and Stow rack, Rogue Panda Frame bag >>> and BagsXBird Goldback medium saddlesack don't provide enough storage space >>> for me. >>> >>> It seems like the OP is quite attached to rear panniers because it suits >>> his personal riding style. From the tone of the responses to some of the >>> replies, OP is looking for either validation or to be convinced that there >>> is a BETTER way to ride/load. But bikes are so deeply personal. That's why >>> we ride and tinker and convert and trade. So we can find the bike style and >>> set-up that suits us best. I personally can't stand rear-weight, simply >>> because of "how it feels." TAIL-WIGGLE is like nails on a chalkboard to me. >>> I also love the aesthetics of high-mounted front loads, I just find it more >>> pleasing to look at. >>> >>> Final point: I don't think that The Everyman rides Rivendells. Folks who >>> can afford these bikes are a privileged few, and many of us have spent >>> YEARS tinkering, switching out racks, switching out bags, saddlebags, >>> Fabio's Chests, Carradice bags, etc. etc. So the fact that so many >>> Rivendell-listers choose to ride with front baskets and bags means that >>> through trial and error, we have decided that it works better for us and it >>> "feels better." NOT saying it IS better, even though I feel just as >>> strongly about front-loading as OP does about rear-loading. But if we all >>> rode the same way, how boring this would all be and how would I be able to >>> pick up cheap niche bike gear at a discounted rate when all you indecisive >>> Riv Riders decide that "PAUL BRAKES ARE OUT AND V-BRAKES ARE IN!!!" or >>> "BROOKS SADDLES ARE OVERRATED. I NEED A BERTHOUD!!!" >>> >>> (And babies like riding in front-baskets) >>> >>> >>> [image: 0-1.jpg][image: IMG_5539.jpg][image: IMG_7392.jpg] >>> >>> On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 5:26:41 PM UTC-8 Stephen wrote: >>> >>>> I have basically the same reasoning as Ian, and also live in a city and >>>> dont want to leave bags on my bike when I lock up, plus i like my daily >>>> bag >>>> to not look too bikey (I use the shopsacks). Convenient and easy, easier >>>> to >>>> pile up with whatever shit i want, take a jacket or sweater off if i get >>>> hot, sling my lock into it. Does it affect handling? yep, but i dont >>>> really >>>> mind that much for riding around town. If my situation was different maybe >>>> id do things differently, but I tend to like having a at least a small >>>> basket available for an around town bike. I like the way it looks too. >>>> >>>> -stephen >>>> >>>> On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:47:17 PM UTC-5 Patrick Moore wrote: >>>> >>>>> IMO, baggage ought to complement the handling characteristics of the >>>>> bicycle. My benchmark idea of handling has been formed by 30 years of >>>>> riding Rivendells which, IME, do best with rear loads, or at least loads >>>>> biased toward the rear and not the front. >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 5:18 PM ian m <darkg...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I'm not sure how it makes more sense to put a bag into another bag >>>>>> than into a baske >>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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