Front Rack vs Stabilizer Harness for Trail bikepacking

[MarkTNIC]

Okay so I keep buying gear on sale and I need to make some decisions about what my full set-up will be.  I am going to bike the GAP/C&O trail from Pittsburgh to DC in September over 6 days on my Specialized AWOL (drop bar steel adventure bike), currently I use the bike to commute with a Topeak Super Tourer rack with a Topeak MTX trunk bag.  A few years ago I bought a set of Ortlieb Bikepacker plus rear panniers because they were on crazy discount, but I've never actually ridden with them let alone loaded on trails.  In preparation for my trip I have been reading tons of bikepacking articles and everyone seems to be riding seatpacks, frame bags, and handlebar rolls instead of a rack and panniers.  I recently bought a PDW Bindle rack with Terrapin Drybag which I like the idea of and I'm thinking of taking off my Topeak rack and using the Bindle for commuting.  If I use the Bindle rack for my Pittsburgh to DC ride I will need some more cargo capacity.  The debate is do I buy a frame pack and handlebar roll like the Salsa Anything Harness or the Specialized Burra Burra Stabilizer harness, or do I buy a front rack like the Blackburn Outpost front world touring rack or the Jandd Extreme front rack and mount the Ortlieb Bikepacker plus panniers on the front with the Bindle rack on the back?  My biggest trip is the GAP/C&O trail ride but I could see myself potentially doing future bikepacking trips on more rugged terrain.  Do I just sell the Ortliebs and buy a stabilizer harness or are front racks with rear panniers a viable setup for trail bikepacking?  Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much.

[harryonaspot]

I had those panniers. Rode the Great Divide with them . They are excellent but huge. I find that if I have the room I fill it. That equals heavy. Heavy is your enemy. Even on a flat route like that. Light is just so much more enjoyable.  I definitely  would not put those panniers on the front. How you carry your gear, or what you buy really depends on your future trips

[ArisaemaDracontium]

What you're talking about falls well within the wheelhouse of traditional bike touring. The reasons people like frame bags and seat packs is for singletrack, these bags being in-line with the bike help narrow the profile of the bike so it doesn't snag on trail side obstacles and to improve maneuverability.

For wide open paths/roads panniers and racks work great. Yes they are a bit heavier, and though weight is still an issue, it is less so on a touring set-up, so, stability, simplicity and easy packing are all big advantages of traditional panniers.

I'd recommend a lowrider front rack, use your ortleibs in the back to carry bulky gear and small panniers on the front to carry heavy stuff. Your gear should be loaded 60% on the front wheel, 40% in the back. Leave the handlebar bag and trunk rack at home since keeping weight low on the bike will improve stability.

I do like frame bags for versatility. Mine carry my lock, toolkit and water for commuting and 100oz hydration bladder plus tools when I'm touring.

If you haven't used your big Oerleibs much, consider that they make great grocery getter bags!


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[vermont]

I have toured on a traditional rig (a surly LHT) with four small panniers and this summer am switching to a less traditional set up.  My reason is that I am switching to a lighter weight bike and lighter weight gear list.  With panniers, I have taken the LHT down dirt roads and even a jeep trail or two.  Panniers have been around so long for a reason.  They work really well.  The disadvantage as said earlier is the weight.  It really comes down to how you want to pack and how you are packing.  Think about what you are packing and let that make the decision.  Also, if you use two large panniers you probably don't need anything up front.

[offroute]

I would do some soul searching and try to project what riding you'll be pursuing most, then gear up for that type of riding and suffer compromises elsewhere.

Ortleib makes burly gear, but heavy beyond reason in stock form. I modified two sets of their panniers, essentially hacked off anything extra like the silly mounting system. Cut the bags' weight in half. Mounted them permanently to racks and ran them successfully (primarily forest road riding). For a single bike I think the small (front) panniers make a good rear set. The actual rears are so large in capacity..too large for almost any "mountain bike" trip where multiple bags are used, evidenced by riders loading them up and regretting it. I do really like the basic shell of their bags, and the ease of access is superior to some bags like handlebar rolls and seat packs.

Edited to add: I think most will agree that a traditional bikepacking-bag setup (frame, seat, front drybag, optional backpack) is the way to go for more rugged trails. These setups better enable a full-suspension bike, which can make rough trails more fun.