I want a commuter, but I have no idea where to start

[NoNo]

Thanks for all the great advice. Good to know I'm not the only person who's thought of "cheating" on their LBS Ideally, I'd be able to try out bikes at other shops and my place would order something if I really wanted it, but I haven't checked with them yet.

Wider tires and lots of gears are definitely pluses

[mimitabby]

parallel train tracks can get almost any bike though. I am riding on 25mm tires, i want wider ones, but i have never fallen on train tracks, and i pass over them every single day. You just have to be careful. I know that Dolce is a sweet bike. Although I applaud your choice of a Surly Crosscheck, I don't want you to think it will be "traintrack proof"

[Blueberry]

Really good point, Mimi. And one that even the most experienced cyclists seem to occasionally forget