Originally Posted by
Andy_K
The San Jose will be best for chasing neighbor kids off your lawn. Cyclocross bikes are very at home riding on grass...just be sure to keep the tire pressure down around 40 psi or below. For commuting on the other hand, you don't want low tire pressure like that.
... insert Clint Eastwood snarling: "Get off my lawn".
I think cyclocross bikes make great commuters: they can take wide or skinny tires, many have eyelets for racks and fenders, they're lighter than mountain bikes, and are built to take some abuse. The bike doesn't limit the tire pressure, the tires you choose do, and there are a lot of options. In summer I ride with semi-slick tires at 100psi, and even my sloppy weather and off-roading 'cross tires can go up to 75 for road use.
Unfortunately I think the San Jose is a bit out of your price range, it's a nice bike.