Originally Posted by
CliffordK
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Some of the new racks appear to have about 4" of tire clearance. They just look high. That should help with heel clearance, especially for the wedge shaped panniers, but would seem to also raise the center of balance which may not be as good. Catching wind?
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When you look at a photo of a rack with that much tire clearance, look where the rack is mounted to the dropouts. Some manufacturers have moved the mounting point much higher up because of an odd dropout shape, maybe a dropout designed to adjust chain length on an IGH, or to better clear disc brakes. I do not think the racks changed, I think the bike frames changed. I was really surprised when I built up my Lynskey Backroad how high the mounting point for the rack was.