Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Another road bike commuter here. If I were in your situation, I'd look for a CL/Goodwill bike, maybe a 70s-80s vintage. Ability to fit a rack is nice, but backpacks work fine. Then get it mechanically perfect, but aesthetically ugly. Think Millenium Falcon.