thanks for all your input!
it makes a lot of sense that the concern would be in the rack, not the bike. so basically, i'd have to look for a heavy duty rack that bolt to the rear (non-quick-release) axle?
mparker326- your bike sounds exactly like what i'm looking for. does your Pletscher rack bolt on to the rear axle? do you use loctite and all that good stuff? any close calls?
alleng- those workman bikes look nuts! i definitely saw alot of those food cart ones everywhere i went in vietnam. i only saw the tricycle-style bikes for carrying people though...
also, in terms of weight, would too much weight on the back cause the axle to slip or strip?
a friend suggested i look into chinese imported bikes. maybe in chinatown (i'm in new york) would have something?
p