Front racks are usually permanently installed with the handlebar of your bike with the help of tools, and it is not easier to uninstall these racks by using your hands, but handlebar bags are mounted and unmounted with the help of rubber straps and when you want to go for longer mileage rides then you can install handlebar bags but if your trails are limited and you are using your bike just for commuting and touring purpose then uninstall bar bags and place it in your garage or home, but once you have installed front racks on your bike, then it is not possible to uninstall them on the trails without tools.
But on the other hand, if we discuss the volume and space difference between the front rack and the handlebar bag then the front rack is at the top of the rank, bar bags have usually a smaller volume and it is not possible to carry all the accessories, things and tools within the bar bag, mostly there are many important things which are common things mostly rider carry them when they have decided to spend one or more nights within the forests and touring places. there are many important things which include your clothes, shoes, waterproof clothes, tents snacks, water, cooking gas cylinder and other necessary things which are used in kitchens, tools, air pressure pump, spare tires, and tubes, these things are enough much and if you have also decided to carry the same things with you then it is not possible to carry all of them within the handlebar bags, all of these things require front or rear racks.
Although if you have still decided that you are not going to mount a front rack then you have another option, you have to buy or install more than 2 to 3 bags with the frame of your bike to cover all of these things within these bags, it has been proved from experiments that almost one front rack has space and volume of three handlebar and saddlebags, it means front racks carry more things than any of other bike carrying bags. front racks usually make the front wheel and front portion of your bike much heavier, but handlebar bags have smaller sizes so these would not affect your riding and handling especially when you are climbing uphills.
Which Is Safer Front Rack Or the Handlebar Bag?
carrying more heavier stuff on the front portion of your bike is much more dangerous especially in the braking system, also on hard and aggressive trails, mostly offroad trail riders reduce their bike speed by pulling the levers of the front brakes, in the case when there is much weight above the front wheel and your bike is going in a speed when you want to stop your bike, there are more chances of falling and distracting from the actual trail pathway, now we will discuss both of these bags, if you are carrying greater weight on the front rack there are more chances of risk but handlebar bags are much safer as compared to front racks and panniers.
Downhill Trails And Speed Of Bike:
If your tow or parks have downhill trails and those longer mile pathways where you have decided to ride with the front rack, then it would be a risky trail for your, the reason is that bike speed goes on increasing higher and higher, then it would e enough hard to control your bike, and then start braking to decrease bike speed, you will face a serious issue, for these trails, handlebar bags are recommended and front racks are voided.
Difference In Aerodynamics:
Smaller sized bags would help your bike a lot to maintain the speed and your bike becomes more aerodynamic but larger front racks are old and traditional theory, installation of these racks does not help you in making your bike more aerodynamic, that’s the reason people are installing and mounting smaller sized handlebar bags or saddlebags to make their ride more comfortable.
Issues Of Centre Of Gravity:
Centre of the gravity is the main issue and problem which will play a major role in causing fatigue to bike riders also when you pedal your bike you would notice any difference in bike speed, front racks make the center of gravity much higher but handlebar bags does not affect the center of gravity of your bike and bottom bracket. you have to select your bike pack wisely depending on the trails and the necessary things or accessories which you have decided to carry on the trails.
Vibrations And Noise:
If you are a mountain biker and if your trails are bumpy and jumpy, then surely your things, shelter, and tools are badly affected and there are also chances of the opening of the straps or rubber through which you have bound and compressed above the front racks, handlebar bags does not make any noise or vibrations, even this ag is not affected by such kind of smaller and negligible issues becue of the better position of mounting but front racks or panniers affect your luggage by producing a lot of vibrations and noises, it depends on you that how tight you can bind and press your luggage thoroughly to avoid bumps and jumps of the trails.
Long GrownRoot Trails:
Usually, it is not possible to carry all of your luggage and stuff through those trails which are too much narrow and contains long bushes and grown roots, it is possible to ride and survive these trails with front racks, handlebar bags would be a much better option for these single and narrow terrains.
Conclusion:
Choosing luggage bag, panniers, front or rear rack, saddle bag, or handlebar bag totally depends on you and your bike, you would not get an exact, specific response because if decide to buy any bag for your bike, and when you mount, after riding on the terrains maybe you will feel the bad response and further you decide to buy another better bag or rack, so it totally depends on your riding style, your bike speed, trails, etc.