Originally Posted by
52telecaster
Just a lightweight rack, id say no. However i have removed front and rear racks and fenders and had an eye opening exp. What amounted to possibly 4 lbs turned a nice bike into a wonderful bike. That said, all my bikes have fenders and at least 1 rack.
Those four-ish extra pounds imbue a good bike with a sense of grace while in motion. But take them out and the bike becomes something really special. Unencumbered, it is it's truest self.
That was a bit, uh, effusive, but the thrust remains. Now you know why it's so hard for me to saddle a bike, even a
touring bike, with such things. It's great the way it is!
Fenders, plus a front and rear rack on my former '90 Cannondale ST400 made for a fantastic ride. It just glided along!