My commuting bikes below in order of commuting preference. My commute is about 30 miles RT but I often either go mountain biking before work or during lunch so I need bikes that are fast on the road and off-road-capable.
Kona Major Jake (my do-anything favorite bike)...fenders are zip tied on. It came with Dura Ace all over it but I put Tiagra shifters on it because it just makes more sense. I swapped out the Race Lites for tougher Mavic Open Pro/ultegra wheels with a 11-32 cassette; this bike is capable of hanging pretty well on serious off road climbs. It is usually the bike of choice no matter the task. It is also a pretty darn capable cyclocross racer if its engine could keep up. Hangs just fine on the road as well; it has been over 52 mph on some descents with no complaints.
Kona Major Jake.jpg
1982-ish Peugeot Rescued from Thrift Store for $40 (best $40 I have spent on a bike). This one is also a do anything favorite of mine. It is currently running as a 1X9 but has also been a fixed gear and single speed. Reached for when I need a "fast beater" bike. Pretty much only the frame, post, bottom bracket, headset and brakes are original...(and the brakes will go soon)
. I keep wanting to replace this with a cross check but I already have a "nice" cyclocross bike so I can't see much point in that. This thing is HEAVY. Nonetheless, it was the ride on which I did my fastest century (5:20 including breaks..FIXED!). Even though it is made of gas pipe (carbolite 103), I love the lines of the frame. Sometimes I catch the bike out of the corner of my eye and imagine that it is a Richard Sachs!!!
1982 Peugeot.jpg
1994-ish rigid Jamis MTB...this bikes fits me too well to retire it...I often reach for it over my NRS1 even when we are doing "real" mountain biking...it never fails to deliver on the climbs. $45 on ebay when I realized my "real" mtb would never survive the Arizona State University campus. Lots of history on this bike and a strong emotional bond. I have given it away twice and shamefully asked for it back both times. My bikes deserve to be used and it breaks my heart to see them sitting in a garage just because I had a soft moment.
1992 Jamis Explorer.jpg
Giant TCR0...for the fast days....'nuff said. Many long fast days on this one including several double centuries.
Giant TCR0.jpg
Giant NRS1...my "real mountain bike"....fun to ride but a little too high maintenance for my tastes. It seems like it is never really running well for very long. It is also pretty slow on the commutes. It mostly sees action on non-commute days.
Giant NRS1.jpg