I decided to go:

Axiom Streamliner DLX on the rear, without the funny lower bracket of the "Road DLX":
http://tinyurl.com/d9bkud7

Blackburn nock-off on the front
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_167572_-1___

With Axiom Seymour DLX 30 Pannier Set bags:
http://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Seymour-.../dp/B009P3KQNO

Since, the front rack hasn't arrived yet I mounted the rear on my Surly Cross Check. Stuffed the panniers and mounted those. Went for a ride.

Wam! Heel strike.

My long term plan is to run bags in the front, but I would like the option to put a small (15L) bag on the rear without making contact.

I'm thinking I need to return this rack because I won't be able to make a decent lower bracket to push it back because the rack only has one bolt hole at the bottom and wouldn't be stable.

Any ideas?

-Nick