I ride my mountain bike which is now my commuter bike. I have a headlight on the front, rack on the back where I attach my panniers. I have a 5 mile steady uphill ride to work and going a different route home, a fairly fast ride downhill. I prefer fatter tires for my commute because my ride in the morning is completly in the dark and I am more apt to run over stuff in the street (glass, goatheads). Commuting to work in the morning really gives me a better start to the day and the hour I ride, I have very little traffic. The ride home is another matter...lot's of traffic and I have to be on the defense at all times, but I would rather be on my bike than in the car....GOOD LUCK with your new job prospect and the chance to commute to work