Seems like a simple question, but it's extremely complicated, it seems.

You can't get a really pricey bike because the odds it'll attract thieves is extremely high.

You can't put a ton of stuff on it because it'll get too heavy.

But you still want it to work in a multitude of conditions and environments.

Let's hear of some great setups and why you think they're great for commuting!

Depends. If I had to rely on but one bike I'd go with a cross bike mainly because with a tire change it still could be used racing ; however, if I wanted a non-competitive-do-everything bike I would go with a Surly Big Dummy due to load carrying capacity.

Trek Portland is a very nice commuter

15 year old Trek 850. It's old. Rusty. Ugly. Slow.

But it hasn't been stolen, and it is fast enough for commuting. And because it was cheap, it won't be a heartache when it gets stolen. The last thing you want on a commute is to continuously worry if the bike will be stolen.

Short commute of 3-6 miles? Anything really. An older road bike, english 3 speed,mountain, hybrid, etc.

Medium 10-15 miles? Older road bike with provision for fenders/larger tires, cyclocross bike,

20+ miles? Most folks I see with longer commutes are using cyclocross, touring, or higher-end road bikes.

It really depends on what weather you ride in and what you value when riding. You can commute on any bike you want - don't listen to other people, including me.

There is nothing complicated about commuting, it's a very simple thing to do. Just get a bike that you feel comfartable on, buy few accessories like a good lock and a few lights and start from there. And then as you go along you will learn new things and tricks and upgrade your equipement. Don't believe everything that you read on internet forums , sure some of it is good helpful advice but some of it is bull****. Remember that just because something works for somebody doesn't mean it's gona work for you.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
My commute is 10 to 17 km, depending upon my route, road surfaces vary from loose dirt/gravel to paved- plus it is fairly hilly. For me the optimal commuter is a steel cyclocross/touring style frame with 1x9 set up and a tough wheel set. There is room for snow tires and fenders.

The ultimate do-it-all superbike....

Surly LHT, Brooks B-17, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels 700x28 tires, 10 speed Dura-Ace groupset, FSA carbon crankset, SKS chromoplastic full fenders, homemade lights featuring 3xcree xr-e LEDs for 1K lumen of retina burning goodness.

I used to have a rack but I much prefer my xxxx-large messenger bag, and if I need to haul a bigger load I hook up one of my trailers. I can drop the fenders and lights in about 5 minutes and I have a road bike equal to any in a social group ride, or training ride.

This picture pre-dates the Brooks saddle, enjoy ...

My girlfriend's ultimate commuter is the Raleigh Sports I bought her. Basket in the front, 3 speeds, and it looks cool, while still being off thieves' radars. My ultimate commuter (as I have a longer commute) is a Univega Activa Trail I put drop bars and aero brakes on - it goes fast enough for group rides (top speed so far is an RPM limited 34 mph), but with a 28X24 gearing, can climb straight up a wall. At the moment I'm using a backpack, but the goal is to save up to get a small Sackville SaddleSack to carry clothes in.

Let's question that assumption, shall we? It's a commute: same roads, every day, carrying more or less the same stuff, same traffic, etc. If you live away from the equator, you'll get some variance in weather conditions, but that's nothing like the variability in conditions you get going from singletrack to paved road. People overcomplicate the selection of gear for commuting because, well, there's just so many choices out there (and we're a bunch of jackdaw consumers). It becomes a lot simpler when you remember that a)you don't need the very very very best, you just need something that works, and b)the task at hand is really very simple and has numerous constraints that mean you don't have to carry every item a cyclist might ever own.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. Cyclists ride in different climates, terrain, traffic and hours of the day. They come in all different sizes and levels of fitness. A bike that works perfect for one person could be a total bomb for someone else. Finding the right commuter bike is a trial-and-error process that you work out by commuting regularly.

I started out with a steel Italian racing bike because I had the frame available. I made that work for a year or so until I saved enough money to buy a touring frame. I've got 4 road bikes and a mountain bike, and I could commute on any of them (in fact, I have ridden each one on different occasions). However, I designed my touring bike for commuting, and that is the bike I ride to work about 90% of the time.

If you take the factory wheels off.

Like the others have said tho, best for you isn't best for me.

Only for some.

26 mile round trip commute on a 1996 Diamondback Sherwood (hybrid) I bought new for $400. Use a topeak bag that has dropdown pannier bags for my commuting stuff. Changed the tires to 32's.

If your concerned with theft keep it on the cheap.

Like others have stated it is all in the eye of the beholder. For me I like the touring bike as an all arounder. But it simply suits my purposes and needs and I like its ability to adapt when necessary to different circumstances I encounter.

Old mountain bike, with fenders, racks and bullet proof tires and some pannier bags. Sort of like this, although it has sported trekking bars for the past 2 years and pannier(s) since early this year. Low total investment so if it gets ripped off, well not that big of a deal.

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I do daily commutes on my strida (6km each way). I don't carry a lock just a waist pack and a trunk bag with my clothes and lunch. Fold and shove it under my cubicle without worry for the day. I tried my old mtn bike but it felt heavy compared to this clown bike. It's a fun commute I find with this contraption, and easy to zip between cars when they are sitting there in traffic. Also very satisfying when I pass 200 meters of cars and ditch them on the first green while they have to wait like 3-4 lights before its even their turn to go through the lights. After a month since I've started I also lost two belt notches (was on the second last hole now i'm 4 holes in) without changing my diet at all but I eat healthy usually. what more can you ask for?

depends upon the ride and the rider.

Not even for some, only for ME!

Since I never set out to the the best commuter, owning the best commuter rig isn't anything I'm concerned about.

I'm gonna settle for a comfy ride that carries my stuff and gets me where I need to go with reasonable speed for a reasonable effort.

Older, pre-scuffed bike off craigslist with as many accessories already on the bike as you'd want to add, like fenders, rack, lights, etc. Anything from a $100-200 older hybrid, road, or mtn bike, on up.

The best practical commuting bike is the one that fits your current needs the best.
As those needs change, so will your perfect commuting rig.

I've been commuting on this along with my langster. This soho is a great commuter because it can accommodate bigger tires (38mm), fits my fenders, has eyelets for front and rear racks if I want them, and is just a good all around upright speedy comfortable ride. Since the pic I put on 38mm armadillos on, and a racj with a trunk bag. No more sweaty back!!

I'd have to say that any steel frame bike that can accomodate fat tires and fenders would be the most practical choice in a commuting frame. Braze-ons are an added bonus. And if you can find a used one that's cheaper than new, that'll make your bike even more practical.

I'm currently using the Surly LHT--I'm pleased with how inexpensive the frame was and how well it rides with all of my components. I've got a flat bar setup, randonneur box/bag up front and a rack w/panniers in the back. There are lights all over the bike and it's still under 30 pounds.

the answer is: it depends....form follows function. How long is the commute, what terrain, what year round weather, where can you park the bike? These will all have direct impact on each persons choices.

I think the pricey bike is a concern only if you not have some place at work to park (cube, bike locker, store rome)

Heavy is not a big deal unless you have extreme hills.....it's not a race

Most bike will work in wide conditions (some better than others) fenders, brake pads and tire choice are the key.

If I had to have one bike.... it would be something like the Long hall trucker or a '80 japanese frame based version like people have shown above. Drop bars, fenders, rack, wald folding baskets, blinkies, lights, combined platform/clipless pedals.

this is not what i ride now...because I have short commute and can ride my utilty/commuter bike which looks like an english 3 speed, but has 8 gears, thumb shifter and is based on an '82 nishiki frame in this case the form meets my current function. I wouldn't ride this on a 20 mile round trip commute.