Hi all here is a little more about good bike loading
Kiwi Pete....
pollypp asked:
Hey guys, I like seeing your pictures very much. The AWOL-bikes seem to be great and you are going on impressive tours. But: Is the any advantage in carrying so much luggage on the front wheel instead of putting most of it on the rear-wheel?
wearegoingawol answered:
/ Hi,
One of the more common questions and the answer is simple. Because it sucks for anything else than riding on a flat, smooth surface on you way to the corner store. For any other riding, loads up front gives superior handling.
As soon as You get up from the saddle, climbing or accelerating, the loaded rear will start swaying out of rhythm and behave like a heavy pendant or tail. Climbing with a load in the front makes the bike handle like a normal bike since the load is balanced around the front hub and the headset pivot.
Descending with a bike loaded front and low stabilizes the ride further. Front and low for smooth surfaces and front and as low as possible for more gnarly terrain. Rule of thumb: 2 panniers only, always in the front - low, never in the rear. 4 panniers, front and back, as low a possible.
Try it out yourself!
/ Team AWOL
