Originally Posted by
harshbarj
I disagree with ThermionicScott about fenders. If you think there is a chance you will be riding in the rain, or just on wet streets, you will want (need) fenders.
To me, fenders are optional (though I recommend them). A rack is not. I carry too much stuff on my 30 mile r/t commute to suffer a backpack. I used to do it a long time ago, but have no desire to do it again. An 11-mile r/t commute might be different, but I still would rather use panniers.