It prevents a load from the center wire of a canti- or centerpull brake, mainly. Also helps locate the load on the platform, so it doesn't scoot into or above the brake itself, so you can work on the brake on a loaded bike. Often used as a lash-point, as someone pointed out. You can cut it off (would prolly regret it at some point) an soft-cap the jutting-up stumps with something.
A sleeping pad is soft and can fold at the 'shoe, and shoot upward...or ukin hang it out rearward, since it's too light to cause a problem if it sticks way out. Just thoughts and a fact or two. I think all rear racks have some sort of abutment there. -- Grant Rivendell Bicycle Works www.rivbike.com 925 933 7304 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.