Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
It totally is! The "ideal commuter" -- to the extent that one can objectively be defined -- is the bike that makes you happiest while commuting.
I'll second this one.
I am not a fairweather commuter, but I have fairweather commuter bikes, which are basically road bikes without any commuting accessories. Whenever I need to carry more stuff, or in wet weather, or the need to lock it up somewhere on the way home, then I'll take one of my other bikes with fenders and pannier racks, or one that doesn't look like it's worth stealing.
I'm happy riding all but the one not worth stealing.