Growing up, I remember bike messengers riding disguised racing bikes with high-end components. A high-end steel frame looks no different from a low end one if you can't see any branding.

Of course these days high-end stuff is mostly carbon, and most carbon has a distinct shape that gives it away even without branding. So for me rule #1 of stealth is avoiding carbon. A decent steel frame with no branding fitted with the best aluminum components I can afford is how I roll.

The commute is often the best part of my day. Having a decent bike is a big part of that.