I have my bike set up for my needs and my preferences and my commute, and it's the bike I want... well, mostly! It has some coincidences of deal-hunting and some things I'm trying. I don't think it's my perfect forever bike. It's a cross bike but that's the taste I've developed and I think I'd be just as happy with a sport touring style.

I think I'd still recommend a rigid hybrid to anyone who wants to start out and try commuting. They're just so much more approachable than a drop bar bike. I think they'll be even better with 1x11 gearing if the manufacturers could just get around to building them all that way instead of pretending that it's high tech and premium.