Steely Dan, I'm with you.. I can't stand having a rack on my commuters (Kona Fixie for rainy days, Lynskey Cooper for sunny one's). The only time I want racks is on a utility bike when I plan to haul more than I can put on my back. I don't like the aesthetics and the handling of the bike with the extra weight on the bike. IMHO I'm much more comfortable in evasive maneuvers required with commuting if I can 'flick' the bike around. I feel like you loose so much control when you have a loaded bike. I compare it to driving a sports car vs a pickup. You've gotta plan wider corners and slow down more. The one thing that kills me about back packs is the sweaty back factor. Luckly I can shower at my workplace (after 13 miles each way in the Va humidity I HAVE to have a shower!)