Actually, I respectfully disagree. There are many factors that determine whether or not a bike will work as a commuter. if the roads are bad he might find himself wanting a mountain bike or if hand pain is an issue merely modifying the hybrid with dropbars. My initial commuter bike was a hybridized mountain bike (and it still is); however, I've opted to pick up a backup bike which is a Specialized Sirrus hybrid. Why? the mountain bike is great for moving extremely heavy and bulky loads, but it's geared it too low for making good time. Secondly, although drop bars are good over distance flat bars are useful for hanging lights, computers, etc. and for keeping one's head high while in traffic so for the time being I have opted to stay with flat bars, but sometime in the future I may consider North roads. At no time have I ever considered commuting all my road bike because I find the geometry and the positioning on the bike too "whippy" to contend with in city traffic.