BIKE: Luggage Rack or Baskets better?

[beckyh]

Hi -

It's been a long time since I posted anything to this list, but I had a
question about this discussion. My beautiful new (thanks, Michael)
commuter bike is also my fun/training bike. If I put a rack on the back of
this bike, how easy are they to take back off?  In other words, when I
want to ride South MOPAC on Saturday mornings, or start training for the
AIDS Ride, will the rack need to stay on? I was thinking of getting a
handlebar basket of some kind due to the dual purpose this bike serves. Or
is the rack & bags so mych better than a basket that it's worth the extra
weight/drag/etc.?

thanks in advance for any advice.

Becky