On our Death Valley tour Steve was the only one riding with panniers, weight balanced bags hanging from racks over both the front and back wheels. The rest of us had trailers of some kind. My burley was the only two wheeled trailer. The Extrawheel and Bob trailers had only one wheel and would probably have traveled somewhat better over the double track we traversed in the Owyhee wilderness.

Panniers have a distinct advantage over trailers in soft gravel on the climbs. When Steve ascended Titus Canyon road’s 18 percent while the rest of us pushed, we learned that a few pounds in the front panniers helps keep that front wheel down. And it was true here as well. I’d feel that slight slipping and have to slow down to prevent it. I’d lose my hard won momentum.

While the Burley is a stable little wagon (don’t blame the Nomad for my short comings), it really didn’t belong in this double track environment. But panniers had their issues as well.

Steve's Low Riders Steve explained you could have low or high mounted front panniers.

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Doug's high riding panniers

Everyone but Steve had the high mounted ones resulting in slightly top heavy front ends and a good deal of wobbling sensation.

Steve’s low panniers, however, tended to hit brush and brought him to a stop on Antelope Ridge. But in the gravel, low panniers actually increased his stability.

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