one person's kitsch is another person's gold. in fact, i've always believed that the perfect commuter is a personal and idiosyncratic choice rather than some sort of platonic ideal. for some this might be a walmart BSO, a trek 7100 hybrid, a vintage nishiki, a german touring bike, a bridgestone XO, a 40 lb pashley,a 22 lb titanium brompton, a fredly orbea diem, or even a 15 grand s-works road bike. it's all good.