Originally Posted by MichaelW

Are you riding the XXL size that the original poster is looking for. As I said, in the large size you want as much stiffness as you can get; in the small size, bikes are usually over-built and too stiff. If you ride small bikes, this complaint simply not relevant to the OP.

All frames can crack, even steel or titanium. I wouldnt worry myself about it.

I think we have lost the OP in a highly technical argument. He needs a bike to ride to work. Almost any big brand bike in aluminium or steel will do the job. For longer commutes you need a variety of comfortable handholds which you can achieve by using drop bars OR trekking style bars OR aerobars OR barends. For riding on rough shoulders, a wider tyre of about 32mm is about right. If the bike can do all of this, ride it.