Advice needed re: pannier sizes for front rack

[auww08]

Hi
Does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts regarding pannier bag sizes for my bikes front rack?
I ‘m considering putting another set of 56ltr panniers on my front rack as well as the current 56ltr set on my rear rack to give me a bit more storage space.
I was thinking to upgrade so I have a bit more storage space in the bags at the front

Has anyone used same size pannier bags on the front and back?
How did you get on?

I currently use a set of altura skye on the front and ensure the heavier weight is at the rear in my dryline bags and ride a ridgeback panorama
Obviously I don’t want to overweight the front, but a bit more storage space always cones in handy.
A brief search of the web suggested to me that people usually use large bags at the rear and smaller backs at the front

Thank you in advance

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

It is possible yes if you have the clearances. A lot of front racks are lower level ones that rear racks and this does give problems with larger panniers which you will need to consider, though I am guessing if you already have a set of them, you will have tried this out first?

However, I'm curious (as someone who went off to cycle around the world) why you think you need 112L in total on your bike, excluding anything else like saddle bags, barbags and anything strapped on. I know we don't travel light, with me taking a large full frame dSLR camera and 2 lenses, plus filters with me and we tend to go with our winter weight bags because of the times of year we usually tour in, but I can't help wondering what it is you are carrying and in what country. Few areas of the world need that much kit taking into them.

 

[pkeenan]

Would have to agree with @SatNavSaysStraightOn regarding why one would need that much capacity...

But regarding front racks: this Blackburn is meant to be great. I've not used it personally, but know people who do and have spotted it on a number of RTW cyclists bikes. This should give plenty of clearance and it's meant to be pretty damn strong.

 

[e-rider]

I will tell you that if your rear panniers combined weigh more than 10kg your bike will be miserable to ride! A standard Ortleib 20L pannier will weigh more than 5kg if full unless you are packing bubblewrap so 40L/pair is plenty

 

[Bodhbh]

Does you're front rack have enough clearance/rail space for the big panniers. If so, why not? Like SatNav say's it's loads of space, more than you probably need...however, I look at it like this - if you're gonna bother having a front rack and panniers and carry the weight of these about, you might as well get the bigger size panniers up front, for what it not much extra weight costing. It's what - a few hundred grams more, over 2 or 2.5kg already of rack and front panniers if you go for small ones?

I went for small front panniers, and wish I'd just gone for some more big ones - not often, but sometimes you end up picking up bulky stuff. Weight wise, I don't think it's much of an issue up front. In fact I tend to find the bike handles better if I put the dense heavy stuff like beer at the front and the bulky light stuff at the back (tent, sleeping bag, etc)

But as has been said, 112l is loads.

/edit sorry for the english, I bashed out the post at work, in a minimised windown, in a hurry, and without reading it.

 

[vernon]

A brief search of the web suggested to me that people usually use large bags at the rear and smaller backs at the front

Isn't that enough to tell you that large bags at the front aren't a good idea.

For one thing the temptation to fill the bags is difficult to resist. Once full they tend to be heavy. Once heavy they tend to make steering more than a tad sluggish. I can cope with two rear bags only with the tend stored on the rear rack on three week tours but now tend to tour with a pair of large Carradice bags at the rear and a pair of Carradice front panniers which are smaller than the rear ones - it's telling that Carradice don't make large front panniers.....

I have spare capacity with four panniers but using them makes more of my gear instantly accessible. I've never toured with them stuffed to capacity.

 

[ufkacbln]

Weight at the front does alter steering

My wife and I had different abilities, as I commute by bike, she needed to drive

Hence I wold carry most of the load, she would carry basics, and this evened things out

However I soon found out that rear panniers and a trailer were better for camping trips than 4 heavy panniers

This is my Thorn loaded with trailer on the Great Glen:

 

[mcshroom]

My current front panniers are 20 litre each and I'm not sure I'd want to go any bigger (in fact I'm thinking of going smaller).

I'd be interested to know what you are intending to carry that requires over 100 litres of space (plus bar bag and rack top storage).

 

[ufkacbln]

My current front panniers are 20 litre each and I'm not sure I'd want to go any bigger (in fact I'm thinking of going smaller). I'd be interested to know what you are intending to carry that requires over 100 litres of space (plus bar bag and rack top storage).

You haven't met my wife and her list of "essentials" !!!!!!!

 

[psmiffy]

Everyone to their own = 56l front and rear

and as to what is in them = comfort

 

[Bodhbh]

Weight at the front does alter steering

My wife and I had different abilities, as I commute by bike, she needed to drive

Hence I wold carry most of the load, she would carry basics, and this evened things out

However I soon found out that rear panniers and a trailer were better for camping trips than 4 heavy panniers

I guess it depends on the bike. But I found putting as much weight up front as poss, improved the handling. Felt like the bike was on rails and the front wheel was nailed to the ground. I'd go with front panniers if I was carrying the weight anyhow, but maybe not if i was just adding stuff on to fill up the panniers.

Decent panniers don't loose their value much on ebay, so suggest the OP has a play to see what suits if he can afford to, then maybe sells them on if it doesn't agree.

 

[Crankarm]

You might wish you'd had smaller panniers and less stuff in them when you are trying to ride or pushing your bike up a steep col or hill on a day of 30+C temps and 110% humidity. But each to their own. My approach is that less is more. I thought large panniers of 48litres would be more than enough, but 56 litre panniers are a whole new ball game, a bit like 48 tonne lorries where I am just getting used to 44 tonne wagons being on the roads.

 

[Crankarm]

Weight at the front does alter steering

My wife and I had different abilities, as I commute by bike, she needed to drive

Hence I wold carry most of the load, she would carry basics, and this evened things out

However I soon found out that rear panniers and a trailer were better for camping trips than 4 heavy panniers

This is my Thorn loaded with trailer on the Great Glen:

Is your bike a fixed gear/single speed?

 

[ufkacbln]

Is your bike a fixed gear/single speed?

It appears that way, but it is in fact a Rohloff hub gear.

I find that the simplicity and lack of maintenance when touring is a big bonus

 

[Crankarm]

It appears that way, but it is in fact a Rohloff hub gear.

I find that the simplicity and lack of maintenance when touring is a big bonus

Is it a 32 or 36 H Rohloff hub and does it have disc brakes? I am thinking of getting one that's why, a Rohloff that is.