Are road bikes not recommanded for use in commuting? If so is it because break down very easily?

I wouldn't use anything but a road bike for commuting. I don't commute very often because my job requires me to do site visits fairly often, but I couldn't stand using anything but my road bike for it.

I have road bikes, mountain bikes, and a fixed gear. They all commute fine, although riding a full squish mountain bike more than about 5 miles on pavement is a lot like hitting yourself in the head.

The best commuter is my old touring bike with racks, lights and fenders. The most fun is the fixed gear.

Az

You can commute on any type of bike. Road bikes are fine. Really depends on your commute and what you carry. I wouldn't ride my Ti bike or a carbon bike on my commute. Not because it wouldn't handle it, but because it doesn't have rack eyelets or fender eyelets. For me this is important because I have to carry stuff and fenders are nice when it's raining on your ride home. I would suggest that if you already have a road bike that can't do these things, to go find a used touring or even a cyclocross bike such as the Surly Crosscheck. These make perfect commuting bikes. Even an old steel mountain bike can be easily converted to a commuter. Go visit the commuting forum. They are very helpful.

For me, it depends on how much I'm carrying and how far. I've got an MTB with slicks, a rack, and panniers, and I can fly on that thing, but it's nothing like my road bike.

The only part of the bike you need to be concerned about is the wheelset. With a pack and less-than-ideal routes, wheels can take a beating. That's why I built myself a set of 32h/36h 3x Deep V wheels. I've hammered the hell out of them and they're doing great at around 10K miles, including commutes, training, and racing.

There are two things missing on most road bikes: rack mounts and space for fenders. I commute on a road bike, but I wish a had something like a cyclocross or a touring bike.

that's the popular choice - CX for fun and utility, touring for utility

I commute on a hardtail - but my commute is rock,mud and sand - rarely do I touch pavement. If your surface is pavement, no reason why a road bike won't be the right thing - if your commute is more than 10 miles, it might be the best thing.

Under 5 miles, almost anything goes.

How about a 'cross bike that's setup with a flip flop hub and ridden mostly fixed? Check out the IRO Rob Roy for an awesome bike.

Load it up with racks, fenders and panniers and enjoy the more comfortable, upright cyclocross position, the ability to ride wider tires in the winter AND a single speed or fixed for less hassle, fun and a great workout!

I'm convinced I can ride Glacier National Park (Going to the Sun Rd. E. to W.) on my fixie with the right ratio, and enjoy it just as much as a gear bike. Going down the West side is the only concern I have...it's a long way down!

I've been commuting on a road bike for a couple years now. Other than the rare flat once or twice a year I've had no trouble with it whatsoever.