Audax rides

the French front end geometry is more of a preference than it's being better, I liked having a handlebar bag as I can access my content easily instead of using a similar sized saddlebag, I liked being able to get out of the saddle without feeling the extra weight on the rear, the bike handle better with more weight on the front, and descending/ascending was very comfortable having a bit of weight in front for more tyre contact.

Ed, do you think that it is the fork rake that is significant or that the weight of the bar bag is lower down? I've ridden plenty of miles with a carradice bar bag, but am intrigued by how mounting to a small nitto rack that places the weight through mounting points or the canti bolts of the fork changes the feel. I have been toying recently with changing my fork so I can have this type of arrangement.