Originally Posted by tjspiel (Post 16152547)

I commuted with a rack on my road bike for one summer due to a shoulder injury suffered while snowboarding. Normally I used a messenger bag and I've since switched to a backpack.

There's no particular reason not to use a rack other than once you throw your backpack on it the whole reason for using a road bike might just go out the window. I didn't particularly like the way my road bike felt with panniers on it but you might not notice the difference with a backpack strapped to your rack at all. I'd say give it a try. Racks aren't terribly expensive and even if you decide you don't like it, it's nice to have one available to use even if it's just once in a while.

Originally Posted by lostarchitect (Post 16152596)

A rear rack is a good, not bad idea. It doesn't make you feel slow in my experience. I feel much better with the weight off my back and on the bike, and I get a lot less sweaty. I honestly think it's a little bizarre to want to carry the weight in a backpack or messenger bag when you don't have to.