Commuting - How do I check to make sure a bike will except fenders, etc?

I'm going to look at a few used bikes on craigslist this week and I know that I want to attach some fenders and a rack. This is my first bike since I was a kid and I am basically dumb about everything bike related right now.

Anyways, what do I need to look for to make sure that fenders and a rack are mountable on the bike? I am assuming that some bikes wont fit assesories like that.........

The bike I think I have picked out, based on pictures is a Giant Cypress, any comments on this bike (http://gainesville.craigslist.org/bik/284102473.html)?

Thanks,
Dustin

Look for eyelets (braze-ons) near the rear dropout. I couldn't tell if the bike you picked has them (small picture).
Almost all touring, hybrid, or mtn bikes will work and many cyclocross bikes will accept fenders. Look for plenty of clearance between the front tire and fork for the front fender.
If you don't get the Giant and go for a road bike, you may have to settle for something like SKS RaceBlades.

Anyways, what do I need to look for to make sure that fenders and a rack are mountable on the bike? I am assuming that some bikes wont fit assesories like that.........

The bike I think I have picked out, based on pictures is a Giant Cypress, any comments on this bike (http://gainesville.craigslist.org/bik/284102473.html)?

One possibility is to look for a used/new bike already fitted with fenders and rack.

Whatever you do, don't spend $130.00 for that Cypress. It's not that nice.

Funny you should write, I have a Giant Cypress dx and was doing the fender debate all last week. I was looking at Freddy Fenders, but a Bike Nashbar sales associate said that none of them would fit on my biuke, since I have a front suspension fork.

But, I went to my LBS, and they had a set of Freddy Fenders EZ, and the LBS said it would be no problem to install them with a suspension fork. Well, the shop installed them, and I love them! I actually wanted they
Freddy Fenders hardcore ATB, which are more of a permanently affixed fender, but my LBS didn't have that. I presume they would have fit my bike, but my LBS didn't have them. But I like the ones I got!

You can clamp fenders onto various parts of the bike but bolting them directly to the frame is far superior.
The threaded eyelets are located at the lower end of the forks and at the rear just where the axle fits to the frame (the dropouts) . You also need a hole in the fork crown and the seatstay bridge to hold the upper part of the fender. The rear lower part can be held with a zip-tie.
Racks can share the rear fender eyelets or have a 2nd pair at the bottom. They need an additional set at the top of the seat-stays .
Fender clearance is > 8mm-ish between the tyre and fork crown/seatstay bridge. Many race bikes use short drop caliper brakes. Look where the brake blocks are located in their slots. If they are at the lower end tou will probably be OK. Long drop caliper brakes are used on frames with more generous clearance.