This is my commute bike, I have a road bike and a mt. bike too. I was using my DH's to commute this winter because it had 3 inch tyres with studs in them so it was good in the snow and on the ice. He rode his mt. bike so I could ride the surly. I liked it so much that he decided to put one together for me- that way he gets his back! The xtracylce is good in snow and on ice as it gives the bike a longer wheel base so it is less likely to come out from under you- also you can carry a lot of gear (up to 200lbs) which is always handy in Alaska as you need a lot of gear up here. The basket for Lou Lou is just for fun (or if I do any touring with her), she usually runs along side while I mt. bike. But she truely does love the basket, when I pull out the bike she jumps up into my arms to be put in the basket!