Can anyone explain why front dropouts with dual eyelets have one placed on the upper front and the other on the lower rear of the dropout. The reason I ask is that it seems in most cases, the rack and fender stays share the lower rear eyelet. It would seem to me that long ago the builders would have moved both eyelets to the rear of the dropout or that touring racks would have been designed to mount on the upper front eyelet. I have rarely seen the upper front eyelets used.

Upper one is for rack stay, lower one is for fender stay, typically.

Agree.

Well it seems like nearly all touring racks are designed to mount on the lower rear eyelet. That's why I asked. I think that even the Blackburn front touring racks mount to the lower rear eyelets. Jandd touring racks do, and I believe the Nitto front touring racks do. I know the lighter duty racks have different mount designs, but it would seem logical that at least touring bikes would have both eyelets at the rear of the front dropout or different rack designs. I have also had light duty front racks made by Blackburn and Vetta that mounted to the lower eyelet if the platform was to be level.

I know you are from Portlandia, but I think perhaps you've got it backwardsia in this case.

Double eyelets are rare, so most racks do get hooked up to the only eyelet present, but if there are two, the upper one is intended to get the rack strut. Kinda straightforward.

[QUOTE=753proguy;15618544Double eyelets are rare, .[/QUOTE]

Rare? Maybe on newer rigs, but this is C&V and double eyelets are kinda common on Sportive & Touring frames

753proguy, Portlandia is my present and temporary location. Apparently you are not familiar with front racks designed to carry heavier loads. They are mostly made to mount on the lower eyelet. I am not talking about small, lightweight randonneur type racks. A couple links: Blackburn, Tubus, Nitto Big Front, and all Jandd front racks are made to mount to the lower eyelet. It's OK if no one has an answer.

Did you see post #3?