I've been commuting with CF for years. The only difference with commuting is that you're typically going to carry stuff. We all have differing needs as to what to carry. For me, it's my lunch on the way to work, on the way home empty lunch containers / biking clothes I don't need for warmer weather. It all fits nicely in a front handle bar thing I bought. I typically drive to work once a week for "laundry day", and pack a week's worth of clothes on that day. Otherwise I just use a back pack if I don't drive.
I am able to park my bike in the office out of the way in a secure spot, so theft is not a worry for me.
When the weather's wet I will ride my belt drive bike, which is aluminum - but my #1 choice is pictured.