Only Back Panniers Safe?

[Bandini]

Going on my first camping trip soon. We have room for our kit in our back panniers - but is it dangerous not to have weight in front too?

 

[ComedyPilot]

I rode my last tour with rears only. Not dangerous, just be aware on descents that the front will be a little lighter than normal if all the packed weight is over the rear.

Where are you going?

Are you going to write a journal?

No matter how small, people love to read about other people's adventures.

 

[jags]

no it's quiet safe.i only use rear panniers on my thorn sherpa plus my tent and camping stool tied onto the rear rack .i use a barbag up front but that's it the bike is solid rides beautiful.

 

[RedBike]

I've never had any trouble having just rear panniers. In fact i've never had front panniers.

My new touring bike arrives later this week and it will be my first time with front + rear panniers.

 

[Soltydog]

i've only ever used rears too, but often wondered if sharing the load over front & rear would make climbing easier at all

 

[Gerry Attrick]

The only thing to be aware of is to keep the bike upright whilst mounting and dismounting as the weight will tend to pivot the front wheel off the ground. Of course, this happens only when there is a group of spectators!

 

[Tim Bennet.]

There's nothing wrong with having just rear panniers and I proudly restricted myself to them for decades, even on extended tours.

But . . . when I finally added front lowriders the benefits were incredible as the bike handled so much better in every situation.

As long as you have the discipline to stop your kit expanding to fill all the available space, it's also great to have the space to carry shopping securely when needs be, instead of lashing it on top, etc.

 

[Crankarm]

There's nothing wrong with having just rear panniers and I proudly restricted myself to them for decades, even on extended tours.

But . . . when I finally added front lowriders the benefits were incredible as the bike handled so much better in every situation.

As long as you have the discipline to stop your kit expanding to fill all the available space, it's also great to have the space to carry shopping securely when needs be, instead of lashing it on top, etc.

+1.

 

[sleekitcollie]

i only used rear panniers , and tent etc on rack , i was very heavy as took far 2 much gear , only thing i found was on very steep uphills ( i was off road a lot doing forrest tracks on the hills above loch ness ) the front wheel tended to lift off the ground sometimes , but not a great prob , im hoping to use front bags this year , but no worry using only rear , ps pls post details off trip , great to hear other's trips

 

[Crankarm]

One other thing to bear in mind with putting all one's eggs in one basket so to speak, with loading everything on the rear is that there is a lot of weight over the rear wheel including yourself. So you might risk popping a few spokes every now and again if your wheel has any weakness. Also if you inadvertantly ride through a pot hole it is certainly good bye wheel.

 

[mike1026]

To misquote the famous slogan from 'Animal Farm' two panniers good four panniers better or should that be four panniers good two panniers better. The best advice I had was to try every combination for yourself. Can be expensive but there is lots of second hand stuff about. Cycle Touring is more of an art than a science.

 

[HelenD123]

The only thing to be aware of is to keep the bike upright whilst mounting and dismounting as the weight will tend to pivot the front wheel off the ground. Of course, this happens only when there is a group of spectators!

Mine swung round and I got a nice scrape down my calf from the chainring.

Bandini - be disciplined with your packing and you'll be fine with two to start with. I'm fitting a front rack for my upcoming trip though to spread the weight and have more room if I have to carry several days worth of food and water. Shouldn't be an issue for you!

 

[friedel]

i only used rear panniers , and tent etc on rack , i was very heavy as took far 2 much gear , only thing i found was on very steep uphills ( i was off road a lot doing forrest tracks on the hills above loch ness ) the front wheel tended to lift off the ground sometimes , but not a great prob , im hoping to use front bags this year , but no worry using only rear , ps pls post details off trip , great to hear other's trips

I can second the comment about very steep hills and the wheels lifting off the ground. In general, we've done few tours with only back panniers. I prefer the feel of weight spread across four bags but you can do it with just 2 on the back.

 

[John Ponting]

I haven't bike (cycle) camped for over 30 years so no current experience but ...

would it be prudent to spread the load front to back whilst controlling weight by using small (front) panniers at both ends? Maybe a small roll on the rear rack for tent.

 

[HelenD123]

I haven't bike (cycle) camped for over 30 years so no current experience but ...

would it be prudent to spread the load front to back whilst controlling weight by using small (front) panniers at both ends? Maybe a small roll on the rear rack for tent.

A good tip I read (possibly from someone on here?) was to only take as much stuff as you can pack into two rear panniers, but then distribute it between front and rear panniers.