I have no point of view to sell but I want to share some info about my commute. 4.5 miles one-way; I ride balls-to-the-wall when I'm not slowed by a traffic light or traffic. Typical time is around 15 min, if I'm not too unlucky with traffic lights or a headwind. In the summer, I wear road shorts and road shoes, nothing else (besides socks and gitch). At the end of my ride, I'm sweating profusely, which is a byproduct of getting a good workout (which is the main reason I commute by bike).