Tommmmmmm/Bothwell might it look like that because the mudguards give the illusion of larger wheels?
You could be right. Might be the double racks as well, helping balance the wheels out further. You definitely need something for putting chips in, though.
It might also be the strategically-placed bars hiding just how long the headtube is.
It might also be the strategically-placed bars hiding just how long the headtube is.