As far as saddles are concerned, a Brooks B-17 or Selle An-Atomica would serve you well. They’re both expensive, but they’ll last you a lifetime and will end up being infinitely more comfortable than a gel-filled blob.

Keep in mind that bike positioning affects saddle shape as well, so if you go upright you want a wider saddle, and as you’re more hunched over you want a narrower saddle. The B-17 is right in the middle, which is why it’s a good match for a bike with the saddle at the same height as the handlebars.

HT mountain bikes make decent commuters but generally they’re far from ideal ones. The bottom bracket is higher than necessary, and they often come with cheap suspension forks that don’t really do much for the rider. On the other hand they tend to be relatively sturdy and can handle some weight, and V-brakes are simple and powerful.

I really appreciate the feedback!

I’d have a hard look at relatively laid-back cyclocross bikes, like the Soma Double-Cross or Surly Cross Check, or a touring bike like a Surly Long Haul Trucker. Is your commute flat? Hilly?

28 miles round trip is a solid commute, so you’re going to want something reasonably fast. Drop bars are a good call if wind is ever a factor.

Ultimately the most important thing to keep in mind is fit. The bike has to fit you well. I tend to suggest more upright bikes to most people, but given the length of your commute you probably want to look at something where the handlebars and saddle are about at an even height, provided you don’t want to spend your entire day commuting.

Finally, one consideration is an e-bike. Then it really doesn’t matter what the bike looks like or how much it weighs… you can always juice the throttle

The Schwinn World Avenue looked good. Just wanted a second opinion. Thanks.