Why I hesitate to use a road bike for my commute? I ride a combination of 45 MPH roads and their associated shoulders, city streets, multi-use paths, sidewalks (!), and I jump at least two curbs during my commute. It's a frightful hodge-podge. Welcome to one of the most bike-unfriendly cities in the Nation. Glass, metal fragments. I guess I just can't see a road bike's tires standing up to it. I think my 1.5 inch, 80 psi Armadillo slicks are just about ideal for the task. I can't see going thinner than 700x32c.

Cyclocross bike, great idea, it's only money, right? I think I paid $275 (new) for my current commuter. Maybe when this one is dead and buried in another few seasons...

I think I have been thoroughly dissuaded from a commuter bike like a Breezer Villager. Maybe if I lived within 10 miles of work, but not at 17.5 miles out. They look like nice bikes, though.

I think I will stick with rechargable lights, can't afford to divert human power to the lights. It's hot here, batteries won't die from cold. It doesn't get that cold. Might get down to freezing twice a year.

Removable fender - good idea! Keeps me from dragging a fender around unless I need it. If heavy rain is expected, I don't bike commute.

I did put a rigid fork on the commuter mountain bike today, it's fantastic. So much lighter and faster.

I do have a rack on it, and a rear bike police type of "trunk".

Thanks for the help, everyone.