Originally Posted by pinkrobe
I recommend going with cheaper components, such as your LX or even Deore level stuff. Commuting is like the death of 1000 cuts, as opposed to the guillotine. Chris King stuff is beautiful and I'd love to have it on my bikes, but for the price of a hubset and headset I can buy two entire commuter bikes that will last for years with regular maintenance.
I agree with the lower level component bit. While the above quote seems to put Deore components at a lower status they still recommend it. I certainly do. I commute on a Bruce Gordon Basic Loaded Touring (BLY) bike which is part Deore. In over 7000 miles in the last year, half commuting, The only component to fail (sort of) was a Nitto handlebar that bent after some potholes and off-roading. Gordon replaced the handlebar at his cost. Try his site
www.bgcycles.com and look at the component lists for his bikes. The high end Rock-and-Road has the full Deore group. His idea of bike design is for fully-loaded touring in places where you might not see a bike shop for a long time.