Originally Posted by
Tom Velo Orange
The lower legs of the rack are bolted to rack eyelets above the rear fork ends of the frame. There are threaded bosses on the rack that require holes drilled in the fender. The rack is then attached to the fender. If you are truly concerned about the rack moving independently of the fender, rack struts are of course available and entirely reasonable to to use on our racks. but not necessary.
Okay, I get it now.
My lack of understanding derives from the complete absence of fenders on any/all of my bikes.
A fender or strut is required, so that makes sense. I just never noticed the rack attached to the fender. A fender may be thin but it has a deep and wide cross section, so it should be adequately stiff.