A few years ago I bought four bikes from a couple who had been forced to give up cycling through age and ill health. All four frames, which were from the late forties to mid 50s, were small, his 21 and hers 19 ½ , and they had used them for touring. All 4 had their back brake in front of the bridge and they told me they did that for no other reason than to have room to fit large touring saddle bags without them sitting on the brake callipers.
Peter Brown, Lincolnshire, England