I also posted this as a stand-alone thread - what can I say, I'm an attention *hore!

Front
Rear
Rack
Bars

Background on bike: When I was in college (University of Idaho) in the mid 90's, I was managing an apartment complex. One of the tenants abandoned the frame in a storage closet (no logos or badges, but a mid 80's mountain bike frame as best I can tell). I needed a bike to get around campus, so I painted the frame (crappy paint job, as you can see) and with the help of a LBS and their used parts bin, was able to make it rideable. Over time, I replaced some of the parts with better stuff, but it's still basically a franken-bike.

After I finished college, it hung from the ceiling in my garage until the gas price hike last fall, which prompted me to pull it down and put on some new tires (Specialized Nimbus Armadillos), a rack (Jannd Expedition), and a light system (ala Starlight 78). Recently, I added the Nashbar Trekking Bar and a new stem, and some cheap Wellgo clipless pedals.

I commute an average of 4 times per week, approximately 18 miles round trip. Luckily, I've got a great route (wide shoulders, scenic, along the Puget Sound), there are showers at work (I carry clothes and such in an Ortlieb Pannier), and I'm able to park the bike in the mechanical room of the building where I work.

From reading this forum, I know that old mountain bikes are well regarded as commuter bikes, and I would have to agree. I've had a few roadie friends encourage me to buy a road bike so I could get to work faster, but with the light system, pannier full of clothes and lunch, and my "personal baggage" I don't think it's worth the money to save 5 or 10 lbs on a bike. Besides, my commute time (40 minutes) is less than many of my co-workers who drive.