I've been on my vintage 80s Univega road bike now for several years commuting. I changed a lot of stuff, added a lot of stuff (much to the horror of my bike mechanic, but hey, it's not his bike). I added a front basket, attached a rear rack with p-clips, got a trunk bag, swapped out the drop bars for straight bars cut down to size, and I converted it into a single speed. but technically, it's still a road bike, and I like it.
__________________
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me