Rank for commuter bike please

[daveren]

I have found five bikes that I am considering purchasing that I will be using mainly for a 6 mile commute -light hills mostly smooth streets. Does anyone have any suggestions to narrow my search? Or possibly another bike to consider?

Jamis Coda http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_codasport.html
Giant FCR http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=11030
Cannondale Road Warrior
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5HR4Y.html
Specialized Sirrus http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Sirrus
Big Buzz http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47841651&parent_category_rn=4500775&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Thanks

 

[JN8]

I have found five bikes that I am considering purchasing that I will be using mainly for a 6 mile commute -light hills mostly smooth streets. Does anyone have any suggestions to narrow my search? Or possibly another bike to consider?

Jamis Coda http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_codasport.html
Giant FCR http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=11030
Cannondale Road Warrior
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5HR4Y.html
Specialized Sirrus http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Sirrus
Big Buzz http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47841651&parent_category_rn=4500775&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Thanks

I've stuck panniers on a 1980's trek 1400 with RSX components and have been going back and forth for 4 years. I like the road position, others opt for the Mary Poppins pose. As far as commuter bike goes, your way ahead of my crowd. Moslty beaters and occasonally they do not even sport locks. The RSX is nice because it has indexed shifting. I've got the poshest bike on the rack. I wrapped one of the seat stays with electical tape to clamp the rack on, no braze ons for the rack.

Pick one and be happy. Bicycling mag rated a commuter this time around. Take their advise?

Where I live we need lights for the evening commute. I have a helmet mount 10W. Pleny of cheap blinkers. Go cheaper and spend more on clothes? We ride at about 20-30 F in early winter and early spring.

 

[JN8]

I've stuck panniers on a 1980's trek 1400 with RSX components and have been going back and forth for 4 years. I like the road position, others opt for the Mary Poppins pose. As far as commuter bike goes, your way ahead of my crowd. Moslty beaters and occasonally they do not even sport locks. The RSX is nice because it has indexed shifting. I've got the poshest bike on the rack. I wrapped one of the seat stays with electical tape to clamp the rack on, no braze ons for the rack.

Pick one and be happy. Bicycling mag rated a commuter this time around. Take their advise?

Where I live we need lights for the evening commute. I have a helmet mount 10W. Pleny of cheap blinkers. Go cheaper and spend more on clothes? We ride at about 20-30 F in early winter and early spring.

Actually I like Jamis for the retro but good steel frames. Can't go wrong too much with Cannondale. REI didn't mention rack/fender mounts, that's key on a commuter. Specialized woudl not open for me.