Thinking of commuter-izing my Unit - mudguards(!) and gears(!) as when I do ride it usually rains and I don't like getting completely covered in road gunk. But then saw CRCs discounts on various Konas. That Ute looks crazy and fun. Perhaps a little slower than a regular bike though?
I only have 12 miles on each leg of the journey. There are some gentle slopes. I'll get to lock the bike up on a reasonably secure site.
Favoured commuting bikes?
do it properly - 700c x 25 and drop bars.
I use a Cannondale Bad Boy 8 (Alfine hub so no claggy mech through the winter). Crud catcher on the downtube, rear seat post mounted mudguard, sorted.
I stuck with a converted MTB and botched traditional mudguards on. I couldn't be bothered dealing with another set of standards and wheel size, cos I like to swap stuff around between bikes. It meant I could use up some bits from the spares box, but was also an excuse to get some more shiny mtb bits.
kona dew drop
croix de fer here, tho I had to get a bike that i could do road/canal light offroad too as my sheds too small for a fleet of bikes 
semi knobblies for summer commuting, bash a bit of off road in too then
the Extended Commute ride by rOcKeTdOgUk, on Flickr
Sod the drop bars, you'll just look like a ****.
I use a kona dr dew btw.
do it properly - 700c x 25 and drop bars.
plus 1
Either of these from Wiggle are a bargain.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-juicer-mid-2010/
Or
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-juicer-hi-2010/
Just got the Hi and it's lovely 
Dew for me. It's ace. Drops or flats depends on how much city traffic you have, I reckon. More open road = drops, more urban = flats.
However 700c is a must - definitely makes a huge difference to speed.
However 700c is a must - definitely makes a huge difference to speed.
Agreed. My foldy bike with 20" wheels is frustratingly slow on the occasions when London traffic clears for more than 400 yards.
Just finished a new commuter, going to get flammed for this but I am loving it.
SS 29er inbred, ridged
Running Conti 35mm speed king cross, the rear is nearly slick after running it at 60psi ;-), but its been a real buzz working out the best lines on my local commuting trails.
Compared to normal 29er tires it feels so nippy.
I've been commuting on a Pomp since Jan - love it!
I commuted on a folding electric bike - 10 miles of hilly lanes, but could wear work clothes and not need a shower - as the office didn't have one. Full mudguards and a rear rack. Then I did 100% human powered on the way home. Selling it now as I live in town...... one careful owner.....
agree with flat bars if the route is mainly urban, traffic, lots of stopping and starting
drops if its more rural "open roads" where you might benefit from being able to get more "aero" - makes a difference if you are riding home into a headwind
frame that will take proper full length guards (although I have used crud catcher race guards on my road bike for the last couple of years and they are very good)
700cc - tyre choice will depend on route
Get an old road/tourer bike from Gum Tree, e-bay or similar, £20-30.
Flat bar, spares box.
Replacement levers, £10
Done.
APF
Merida Speeder here with bar ends, mud guards and panniers. 700cc Schwalbe Marathons. 36 mile round trip started this week. I'm around 17.5 stone and even with the rear panniers the factory wheels haven't budged.
Love the bike, very comfy and delighted I went with it.
Waiting for my Kona Dew to arrive from CRC - am ridiculously excited, just because it's bike shaped...
Boardman hybrids look pretty hard to beat for VFM.
Although now the weather has improved I've developed an irrational desire for one of these:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPFB/sl-pro-carbon-hybrid-
Agree with the flats vs drops comments, my commutes mostly urban and flats feel a lot more secure than drops.
Boardman bikes are great but unfortunately they don't do the hybrid in XL, so if you're over 6ft they are too small - hence the Cannondale
1991 Kona Cinder Cone
spesh langster - love mine
One of these suit?
Just use the bike you have.
Flat bar Cotic roadrat singlespeed. Slicks and mudguards are the magic ingredients.
ute does look fun but gonna be a right pita for more that a couple of miles on a regular basis.
I'd def want a road bike for 12 miles
It's totally going to depend on the individual situation. And your preferences and facilities at work. For example I;
Have a pretty flat 5 mile commute, bit of country lane, bit of town.
Don't need to carry anything, other than 5th day clothing changeover.
Like to get wet, have a drying room but no showers at work, can get away with stinking 
Ergo, this is my commuter:
No guards, no racks, one gear. It's lovely to ride. If only I wasn't crippled, I'd have ridden it twice today 
Running a basic Kona Dew, 12 miles each way on roads, cycle paths and towpaths - takes full mudguards and panniers, a bit harsh to ride but I've swapped the contact points to improve that, a bit slow (roughly an hour each way depending on winds, load and energy levels) but does what I need it to reliably through the winter for £300
oh, there's too much choice....
Charge Mixer Afline great bike and if your less than 5'10" then you can pick up a size small Mixer 8 from Rutlands for just £399
The Ute is a nice bike but not really for distance commuting in it's stock form as it's 37lbs-ish in weight with an upright riding position. You could stick a long stem and flat handlebars on to make it more comfortable for distances but it's still heavy for a 24 mile round trip.
I use mine for fun
Kona Paddy Waggon. Just bought one from the bay for my commute and the ride is superb. I also looked at a Specialized Langster, but fitting rack and mudguards is more of a pain. For 10 miles, drops for me and panniers. It's not light, but a lot lighter than a UTE!
Mountain bike for me. running a genesis IOID at the moment - 8 sp alfine, discs and 1 3/4 inch road tyres for braking grip. Urban commuting over short distances. I prefer the grip to the speed hence fat tyres. Mary bars as well
Did you actually need to take the wheelie bin somewhere or were you just proving a point?
I assume the wheelie bin was for all the used nappies
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