I've had a rear rack on my beloved Fuji almost continuously since the mid '70s.



Yes, that is the ubiquitous Pletscher el-cheapo rack that was sold in discount stores. The spring-loaded 'rat trap' makes carrying rolled-up spare shirt a breeze. That orange thing zip tied to the back is a USCG-approved life vest strobe the Zenon strobe flashing 60-90 times a minute through a yellow lens is VERY visible.

Anyway, I've carried all sorts of stuff on that rack - and have a 'trunk bag' that velcros to it, and I have a set of old-school Cannondale panniers (yes, the proper rear ones with the cutaway to avoid heel strikes. AND a vintage Cannondale 'Toot' 5" dia x 8" long seat bag. I've ridden that bike tens of thousands of miles with stuff on the rack. It has never failed me.