Right...
Well that's a race bike m8.
Basically, it would be like making deliveries on a F3 car, minus the gas expenses.
Race bikes are faster, stiffer, they use less energy to provide with the same speed etc.
They also climb, some have aerodynamic design implemented in etc.
They are also quite expensive (in case theft is an issue) and they are not really "ment" to be locked with D-locks and left on the street.
Basically:
1. You pay 2000 euro more, for a bike to be 2kg less. And you will be carrying a 40euro 3kg D-Lock whilst using it???
2. They require more maintenance. They have not sealed gear systems, they would require adjustment, cleaning etc.
3. Parts are generally more expensive, (much more expensive) and that extra costs provides a minute advantage in weight and performance that could save a few seconds on a race.
For commuting they are just more uncomfortable and expensive. Not that there is anything wrong with commuting with them (if you are commuting in lycra an a helmet), but:
You wouldn't park an F3 car (which probably doesnt have a key ignition does it?) unlocked in Camden Town on a Saturday night would you?
The cyclocross bike above is derived from a race design, but it's kinda "ment" for commuting as well since it was fender and rack mountings. Carrying stuff on a backpack kinda knocks out your centre of gravity and makes you very sweaty.
Again, nothing wrong with using a carbon racer, but maybe it would be "even better" to just use a fast commuting bike for that.
Also race tires cost about 100 euro for the pair and some dont give out such a high mileage.
Carbon frames dont do that well in crashes. They are also hard and expensive to repair.
They do have a high service life though, in the "paper" they are about as good as steel. But there have been cases of failure, which in carbon is catastrophic. (No elastic deformation occuring prior.)
Again, not trying to say that -they cant be used- for commuting. It's just not the "ideal" tool for it probably. Unless, you only wanna have 1 bike and also wanna race in the weekends with a club or something.
But then... Why trash the race bike on commuting? You could get a 3000euro race bike for just the weekends and a used 400euro steel Cyclocross bike for the commuting...
(addition: If you there are any cobblestones on the road a very stiff frame with no damping will vibrate like a %^*&&^, there are some "endurance" or "Roubaix" type bikes which might be more useful in non-flat terain then a stiff carbon "climber-racer".)
Why not try a Cyclocross bike for this? Enjoy the inexpensive fast frame with aero position capabilities? The wonderful high mileage grippy tires?
I had an accident whilst commuting around with a race bike once... Actually I wasn't commuting, I was speeding like a ^%*& to shave some seconds on a segment in the seaside with a pair of race tires and when I returned the bike slipped under me whilst going with 5km/h over some wet pavement...
Mind you, bike slips can be very nasty.
