Commuting Bikes

[7rider]

Question for the commuters, do you have a bike you just use for commuting? I want to start commuting to work in the spring and don't know if I want to ride a brand new bike to work and leave it locked to a bike rack.

I do have a bike that I bought new for commuting. It's a 2005 flat bar road bike, a Felt SR-81, outfitted with a rack, panniers, and lights (in season). I wanted something upright, comfortable, dependable, and speedy. I leave it locked to a rack in a (somewhat) guarded parking garage, so it's pretty safe, although I take computers, lights and stuff off the bike in the a.m. I didn't buy top-of-the-line for my commuter, but I bought mid-grade. I guess it really depends on how safe your parking area is and what your situation is for riding.

[KnottedYet]

I use my Surly Cross Check, and keep it in the staff room at work.

This bike gets used for everything, but it's main purpose is commuting. (Mustache bars, BMX pedals, rack, panniers, lights, fenders, etc)

[Jenerator]

I use one bike, fixed Surly Steamroller, for commuting and everything else. Cross tires in the winter and skinny tires in the summer. I'm lucky enough to park it in my cube, but wouldn't worry too much if I had to lock it up outside.
I used to commute on my old mtn bike. No qualms about leaving it outside.

[bikerHen]

My commuter is my Surly LHT that I bought last summer. It's perfect for commuting and just about everything else. I've got it weighed down with the usual lights, fenders and bags and studded tires as well. It seems like it weighs a ton. I haul it up a flight of stairs everyday to keep it safe and sound with me. It's also my errand bike that I do lock up outside and unattended from time to time. It replaces my fast, fancy and expensive road bike which I rarely let out of sight when I'm riding it. I have even been known to take it into the bathroom with me! bikerHen

Of course commuting is only a distant memory. The snow is starting to be measured in feet, not inches, for the first time in at least three years. Even if I could find a bike lane, no way I'm going out there with the slipping and sliding cars!

[tulip]

I bought my Jamis Coda for commuting several years ago, but I was only commuting at the time. I bought a road bike later for longer rides, but I rarely used it for commuting. My tri-state commute took me through Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, 14 miles each way, with a mix of horrible pot-holed urban gritty streets and smooth MUPs. My Jamis took it all with grace, style, and elegance, although I was much less so in my hi-viz yellow and orange triangles!

EDIT: My office has an indoor bike rack in the lobby, which was fantastic. I work from home now, so I no longer commute, but I do use the Jamis for errands and exploring-the-city rides