Rear Rack: The rack can be handy if you're spec'ing a heavier Brompton and plan to do lots of multi-modal commuting where you will need to walk with the bike folded (e.g. walking from the entrance to a train/subway station to the platform). Get some Eazy Wheels and it's much easier to pull (or push!) a Brompton along like a piece of luggage if it has a rack. The rack can also be useful for touring, carrying large loads (see www.pathlesspedaled.com) or using a Brompton in cart mode. However, for most commuters the rack just adds weight and isn't very helpful for carry luggage because a Brompton can't be "parked" (the rear triangle folded under the bike) when there is something on the rear rack.

Color: Claret and cobalt blue sounds nice. We currently have in stock a very cool looking arctic blue (main frame) cobalt blue (extremties. If I were to purchase another Brompton I'd probably choose that.

Bag: The T bag is certainly the most versital Brompton Bag. It's big and light, but can be sinched down to a small size. Get the C bag if you want something more messenger style.