IMO the fleet of great-for-commuting, early 90's mountain bikes is now 25yo, shrinking and rusting. The age ended in model year 1992 or 93 when SRAM successfully sued Shimano for its group set discount, and was truly over when non-damping forks arrived on bikes below $500. I'd look for a half decent hybrid that's 10-15yo, something with Shimano Acera RD.
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."