Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!linus!philabs!cmcl2!harvard!talcott!cfa!mink From: mink@cfa.UUCP (Doug Mink) Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: front panniers and low-rider rack Message-ID: <188@cfa.UUCP> Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 10:53:37 EST Article-I.D.: cfa.188 Posted: Wed Mar 5 10:53:37 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 9-Mar-86 08:22:26 EST References: <1217@decwrl.DEC.COM> <849@hercules.UUCP> <444@cubsvax.UUCP> Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Lines: 25 In article pgf@mtung.UUCP (Paul Fox) writes: > ... While we're at it, what are people's opinions of front vs. rear > panniers? Are fronts plus a seat pack and handlebar bag sufficient > for long-weekend kinds of tours? Fronts-only would seem to be a > better weight distribution than rears-only, but is that > significant? Peter S. Shenkin adds: > It's considered better to try to distribute the weight, if there's a lot > of it. If there's only a little, it's better in the back, because any > weight in front impedes your low-speed stability (which relies on quick > corrections with the handlebars). Weight down low in front may actually > *increase* high-speed stability, by resisting deflections due to "road > noise" -- rocks, cracks, etc. Weight up high in front makes steering > a bit unstable, and current thought is that one should avoid it. I've found that even regular front paniers add to high speed stability enough for me to carry a 35mm camera w/telephoto in a padded handelbar bag. I've ridden with both low-riders and normal-height front panniers and haven't noticed much difference except that low-riders and Huret odometers don't mix. -Doug Mink mink@cfa.UUCP mink%cfa.UUCP@harvard.HARVARD.EDU