I've ridden hybrids, road bikes, mountain bikes, a cruiser, 24 inch wheel BMX and banana seat bicycles in the 1970's (lol).

Even though I bought the parts to build a touring bike, I realized later on that if I had to do it again, I would have built a cyclocross after all. (This is based on my research though, I haven't tried a cyclocross or touring bike yet.)

I also bought parts to complete a mountain bike. Neither projects are completed but I mean if I had my choice of two bikes, I'd be leaning on the idea of having one mountain bike with 26 inch wheels (I'm 5'8" or 173cm) and a cyclocross commuter like the Trek CrossRip. [I'd replace the shifter/levers (brifters) with Shimano Ultegra 8 speed bar-end shifters sold at chainreactioncycles and put them on friction mode.]

EDIT: And according to various messages I've read, I think I'd go either 700x42 or 40cc or 26x1.75 semi-slicks for the tires.