$1,000.....hmmm..... I commute about 18 mile per day year round through all seasons. At that price range I would recommend a bike such as the bianchi volpe or Surley crosscheck. The versatility of these machines is amazing and they will both allow you to reach some serious speed if you care about that. The more I commute, the more I value versatility in a machine (as long as it does not impede my efficiency or speed). I currently commute on a 1982 Peugeot road bike that I converted to a single speed and think it is just about perfect at 70 gear inches for the job. I spent a few dollars for new bars and stem/stem adapter and brake levers. I like my cockpit to feel and look modern. If I could change anything, I would put fast 700c wheels (has 27" on it right now) on it and allow a little more clearance for fenders. It has fender eyelets and the freddy's fit fine with 1 inch tires but if I want to run knobbies (which I will this winter) I will have to arange a fender split or something creative like that. For me, the speed of the commute is where the fun is, so although a mtb is rugged and can get the job done, I only ride it on serious snow days. Drop bars make me faster and that makes me happy