Try a DW-link or VPP bike, I think you'll like it even better. The VPP patent expired and now they're proliferating. Bikewolf asked for a mostly-MTB and occasional commuting bike to supplement his hybrid, that's why I'm arguing for more fun. You can always take a backpack on your MTB day. I'm actually using a backpack full time now even though I'm not a fan, because on daycare days my rack is occupied by a kid seat and on non-daycare days I'm taking the trail on my new full squish bike. It's not prohibitive to skip a rack.