Kinda, sorta, but not absolutely.

On the flat the difference between my road bike and dutch bike is irrelevant for my riding style, and long steep grades are hard work no matter what I'm riding. The heavier bike is certainly more work in some situations, but its also more comfortable and less stressful, so overall its about a wash for me.

That said, the road bike is faster for the same amount of work, if "faster" is the primary consideration at the expense of others.

For me and many people (though apparently not everyone), showering the same day as riding keeps away smell. (And keeping the shirts you're wearing on the ride washed as well.)

If you're carrying a backpack that's going to lead to a sweaty back, one reason I have a rack and bag on my bike.

Other suggestions:
- Bring a chance of clothes with you
- Don't ride as fast for the entire ride - the less fast you ride the less you sweat
- If you do ride fast, ride slowly and coast for the last 5-10 minutes of your ride, your body stops generating nearly as much heat when you're coasting and not working hard
- If you live somewhere with a lot of heat and humidity, there's just nothing else you can do. If it's at or above body temp (98F) you're going to sweat

sponge bath in the WC at work . I did this where I went for breakfast, on Bike tours.

+1. If you're clean at the start, you may sweat but not "stink".

Are you wearing a helmet? How upright are you? I've never seen an upright MTB.

Yes. There is also a significant difference in colognes in the U.S. and elsewhere. I've rarely if ever been bothered by cologne in Europe and Asia but have on more than a few occasions in the U.S. moved tables in a cafe or changed seats at church or a theatre because of people's cologne.

It's not as upright as a Dutch city bike but more upright them most MTB's. My fork steer tube is uncut , I have 3 inches of spacers and a stem on top of that. My handle bars is higher then most MTB out there. I like the set up, it's very comfortable, handles well, the only trade off is that it takes more work to pedal the bike especially when it's very windy.

Right, though I'm not sure it's universal for everyone. Seems like for most people if they showered and are wearing clean clothes, sweating does not cause them to smell. But there's a few people for whom that is not the case.

To not smell like ass when one gets to work? Huh. I guess I'm an uncultured fool to make such a suggestion.

I bring a change of clothes and a small bag containing travel size: baby wipes, comb, deodorant, axe body spray... in a pannier when commuting to work.

This is a good suggestion, I will have to try it. I suspect it would be especially good for the nether regions.
I work at a hospital and wear scrubs, so don't have to worry about wrinkle free clothes. I like to have the option to sweat on my short ride. As the biggest temperatur increase is usually as I enter the building, I am also going to try the water bottle spray on head and upper back just before arrival.

I do a towel bath upon arrival, I strip down in bathroom, and wet half of a full size towel. I splash my face, head, (short trimmed) hair, and chest and back and let it evaporate. If real hot rinse, evaporate, and repeat. I carry a fresh wife beater and fresh undies. I towel off the rest of my body. I like a crispy towel, they are more compact and work well for exfolliation, more envigorating. If real hot I will leave my head hair and chest wet, and put my cotton wife beater on over my wet torso. I use Old Spice deoderant. Allthough, I don't use it at work, I do use an after shave lotion (my understanding is that this is a longstanding old country tradition), i.e. Clubman Lilac Vegetal (not strong smelling) for after long rides, when there is a long drive home and no facilities. The alcohol in the cologne helps with evaporative cooling. It is quite refreshing and feels better than basting in od sweat for a long ride home. I think I will try adding Witch Hazel to this routine.

As others said, shower before riding, and then wipe yourself down with a washcloth and then dry off and use deodorant. I arrive soaked in sweat, but have no issues. I have to dress up and stand up in front of hundreds of people, then shake their hands later. I have never had an issue. Lately it has been in the 90's with high humidity, a few days my bike thermometer read in the low 100's. Arrive early enough to wash up and cool down.

You probably wouldn't bring a change of clothes if you walked to work. For many who have a short commute it can be made with similar level of effort to walking.

How do you all feel about putting on your used shorts/jersey to go home? I could probably be ok with the jersey, but the smell in the shorts is gag-me awful sometimes. I commuted 3 miles to my job in March/April in street clothes (it was chilly enough there wasn't a sweat issue). I changed jobs in late April, and we're moving buildings in a couple weeks. It's only 4 1/2 miles, but the last mile is uuuuuup hill. I'd like to go back to commuting by bike, but summer mornings are hot and HUMID here. 75-80% humidity in the mornings, usually 75+ degrees. Sweaty, sweaty backside.

I shower at night (part of my parenting job) and put deodorant before going to bed and before riding in the morning. I do 8 miles as fast as I can manage (I just like riding fast). When I get to work I take off the bike shorts and put on clean clothes. I usually let the sweat evaporate for a little and I might wash my face and back of my neck when I wash my shorts. After that little amount of effort, I probably have some armpit stink, but you would have to put your nose into my shirt. At the end of the day, I build up more sweat though, basically because sometimes I'm active at work and/or I get to swim or play in the pool.

In winter, I just ride into work in the clothes I'll be in all day except for my shirt.

I've never had a problem.

What everyone else says. My commute is about a 14 mile round trip. I'm a heavy sweater but that hasn't stopped me. I generally ride in synthetic workout clothes (Old Navy, Nike, etc., whatever I find on sale) and keep my work clothes in my bag. Take deodorant if you think you need it. Take a towel to wipe off the sweat or, in a pinch, grab some paper towels for a pat down. Panniers are great for keeping the back dry.

Don't ever wear once-worn shorts in the morning. It may smell fine at the time, but once the bacteria has grown for a day it will have a stench after you get it warm and damp again.

With using only fresh laundered shorts in the morning, it's not that bad in the evening no matter how much I perspired. Although it feels terrible to put on still-damp shorts. If it's a real problem you could always carry an extra pair of running shorts, or keep one at work for emergencies.

I must have been mistaken, I thought the context of this discussion was cycling, not walking.

However, I have walked to/from work before (ran as well), and yes I did have a change of clothes. Most of the time I keep them in my locker at work throughout the week and take them home with me daily for washing at the end of the week. That is especially relevant this time of year with plenty of rain and humidity.

It is about cycling. Not everyone stinks when they ride easily to work. Just like most people who walk to work don't change their clothes when they get there.

Right...by the same token, not everyone smells peachy after commuting either. Humidity around this part of the country hovers around 80% all summer; combined with morning temps of 75-80f, everyone sweats.

I deal with the same, although the temperature is usually higher than that and the same or worse humidity. Still, a wipe down with a wet washcloth and deodorant works for me.