Wanted: commuter bike for 16 year old daughter- any recs?

[Chris Watt]

She's rowing so not into road/mtn bikes. Just a decent commuter (or even cross) bike. I'm ignorant- any recommendations from the incredibly knowledgeable TS'ers brain trust?

Cheers,
Chris

[Lister Farrar]

I'd say go with a cross bike. Flat bar bikes are great for commuting, but she'll be looking for more hand positions if she does anything longer. Most come with cross levers on the tops, so she'll have braking in the more upright position.

Plus she can also tour with a rack that actually fits, rip around in the local cross races, and put slicks on for fast road riding...with fenders for those wonderful rainy mornings that scare her dad off.