Commuting by bike can be on of the most rewarding activities out there, at least in my opinion. There are some simple tricks out there that can make it even better though.

My friend Bob has been commuting to work frequently for a while now and was really getting tired of always using a backpack. Having weight on the back makes riding less comfortable regardless of the weather.  Especially now that things are warming up in Richmond, his back was getting super sweaty.

It was time for a change.  After seeing the front load setup I use on my personal bike, Bob knew what he needed to do.

Lucky for him his bike was clearly designed by some smart folks and his fork has the proper mounts for front racks and pannier bags. So we set to the task of getting his bike kitted out with this super smart setup using EVO racks and Ortlieb waterproof bags.

Front loading comes with some pretty awesome benefits over a rear rack. By having the weight lower on the bike and inline with the front axle it is much harder to notice that you are even carrying anything. The same weight on a rear rack will end up being higher and more noticeable especially when rocking the bike while climbing or starting from a stopped position. The rack itself is also lighter so when the bags are off there is less unused weight on the bike in general.

Now he's ready to get to and from work in more comfort which will translate to more enjoyment.

Almost every bike we sell that is intended for multi purpose use can take this same setup.  From the Fairdale Weekender, to the Marin Fairfax or Gestalt we stock many great options for bikes that are far more than just a piece of fitness equipment.