I'm all for using stuff that's run to ride. But I have a hard time using "commute" and "$80 tire" in the same sentence. I spend so much time on my 10 mile commute concentrating on traffic, lights, potholes, etc., that I can hardly imagine having enough time to just enjoy the ride. Out in the country, sure, but I don't commute there.
FWIW, I have the same reaction to commuting on $40 tires, but I'm slowly getting used to it.