There is no easy answer. There are probably as many types of commuter bikes as there are bicycle commuters. Once relegated to the fringes of the cycling industry, commuting & urban bikes have come into their own, and now command a substantial chunk of product developers’ energy and budgets.
One major trend in the in the commuting bike category have been internal gear and brake mechanisms. These have several advantages for commuters. First, they are impervious to road and weather, while external derailleurs and rim brakes work less well in wet or icy conditions. Second, because they are less susceptible to the elements, they require less servicing. So, although up-front cost of buying a bike with such features may be higher, it should save you money over the long run. Third, internal gears are easy to use: you can shift while coasting or at a stop, which is a nice feature at street crossing and stoplights. The drawback of these systems is that some of them have certain idiosynchracies, and when something does go wrong, they can be harder and more costly to repair.
Some of the new commuter bikes come factory equipped with accessories typically sold only after-market, such as fenders, racks or generator lights. If you are planning to buy these accessories anyway, these bikes offer an economical package. However, in some instances, the quality of the pre-installed accessories may not be as good as those you can purchase separately.
Another trend that has emerged over the last several seasons it the return to thinner tires. After two decades of mountain bike dominance, road bikes, and their urban derivatives are back. In a city as flat as Chicago, they offer an excellent option for riders with longer commutes who want to a fast, efficient ride. While some of these bikes look like traditional road bikes, many others offer a flat handlebar option, which is more user-friendly to those accustomed to mountain-bike controls, or riders who prefer a slightly more upright position.
For an excellent summary of commuting bike options, click here.
Ultimately, what defines a commuting bike is not what it is, but how it is used, and often you can get those clues from what it attached to the bike.
Well-worn look. Commuter bikes rarely look pristine. They are sometimes wrapped in tape (duct or reflective), covered with stickers, scratched and nicked.
Fenders. Ridden in the rain and proud of it.
Rack. A must.
Carriers. Panniers, milk crates, even plastic wastepaper bins, are a sure sign that the owner carries stuff on the bike.
Modifications. It is rare that someone who rides more than occasionally is perfectly happy with the bike exactly as it came out of the factory. Commuting cyclists frequently change tires, saddles, handlebars, stems, pedals, you name it, on their bikes. Consequently, a commuting bike is a bike with personality.
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