I hated commuting on singlespeed – last thing you want if you’re tired at the end of the day.
Can’t say I agree, single speed commuting was no worse than single speed on road ever is, which is to say its always rubbish regardless of the time of day (personally I found/find mornings much worse, but that’s probably equal parts me and equal parts big hill)
why do their page images show bikes with lights but the actual models sold are missing them?
A lot of people wouldn’t want dyno lights (me for one) decent battery lights are available at good prices and with long run times these days and can be switched between bikes as required so dynamo ones don’t really fill a need for many now. (a good dynamo hub and light + build cost I increase would also probably double the price of that boardman)
Racks possibly the same – I’m quite happy with a rucksack and know plenty of others who are. A good set of panniers is £££ and not a one size fits all and adding a rack that people may not use is just an additional cost.
Mrs would prefer panniers but adding a rack without bags is sort of pointless. Every one already has a rucksack, they don’t already have panniers.
Mudguards though the only reason I can think of is they restrict tyre size and that’s the emperor’s current choice of attire.