Attached is a photo of my current commuter. I "inherited" it from a friend of a friend. I have not picked a road bike for myself since 1974. They pick me. I am average sized guy, so my more wealthy roadie friends are forever handing down their old stuff to me whenever they feel like their steed is "worn out" as they put it. Normally, I use my own sweet custom built wheels ( because the bikes rarely get handed down to me with wheels ), but this one came to me as-is pretty much. I changed the saddle, HB tape, and tires. I left all of the normal commuting stuff on for the photo - fenders, blinkies, bottle. The frame pump is actually a functioning pump, but I use it as a shelaleigh (stick for hitting unfriendlys of the two or four legged variety).


Linkage to larger photo.

Frame: Circa 1989 Miyata - alum main triangle, CrMo everything else. Downtube shifting.
Wheels: Old-school Mavic Reflex with freewheel threading in rear.
Tires: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-comp - can't express my love for these enuff. Corners like a MoFo!
Crank: Ofmega by Mistral
All Else: Shimano 105
Freddy Fenders: strap-on.
Stickers: My Other Bike Is A Bike, and $0.00 9/10

I make the 17 mile commute each way to work including 7 miles of auto traffic mayhem in 55 minutes - give or take 5 depending on wind direction and velocity. I love "working the gridlock" on this bike. Fast off the line and goes where I want it to before I can even think about it!