Hey all, I’m looking to get into commuting by bike since I’m around 2 miles from work and public transport in my area (Bay Area, suburbs not SF) sucks big time and I don’t have a car and not planning on owning one for the foreseeable future. I’ve been looking at several models, but I find myself struggling to make a decision. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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**Some characteristics and needs:**
* I’m 5’7, around 140 lbs. I’m thin but out of shape, so definitely will have to ease into biking.
* Looking to do a 5 day a week commute, 2.2 miles one way and return. Mostly flat terrain and mostly on roads with dedicated bike lanes or highly bike-friendly roads (a university campus where everyone and their grandma bikes).
* While I learnt how to ride a bike when I was a kid and biked a lot back then, it’s been almost 8 years since the last time I rode a bike. So I need to re-learn a bit. If there’s something like a newb-friendly bike, I would like to know.
* Hoping to spend around 1k USD.
* Planning to carry my bag with books and laptop to work, so a rack is a must. I teach and hold regular meetings with other academics and students, so I’d rather not have my pants smeared with grease/oil/whatever. Fenders also necessary.
* One of the last times I rode a bike, it was one with a flat and low bar. That was a bit unnerving because I felt I didn’t have good control over it. I learnt in one of those old kid bikes with really high bars. While I understand that I could relearn and adjust to a flat low bar, I’d rather have a bar with some height and/or “curvature” to it.
* The idea of an integrated dynamo for lights sounds good, but I guess I could do without one.
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**What I have looked at:**
* [Priority Continuum Onyx](https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/continuumonyx): This is the first one I saw and overall I like everything, maybe except for the handlebars, though not sure how flat and low are they. Price seems right too. However, I’ve read quite a few comments on Reddit about how the IGH needs breaking in and how some folks are really not happy with the feel of it. No chance of testing this bike before buying. I really like the idea of the carbon belt and not dealing with grease and oil and stuff. Is the IGH really such a pain? Is this the right bike for a beginner?
* [Trek Verve Disc 2](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/comfort-recreation-bikes/verve/verve-2-disc-lowstep/p/32734/?colorCode=grey): I like the price and that it is a stepthrough. But will need to add, fenders, rack, light to it. Also, not sure how much of a pain it is to service a chain and derailleur like this one.
* [Electra Loft 7di step-over](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/electra-bikes/loft/loft-7i-step-over/p/16806/?colorCode=black): I love the look of this one, and the handlebar. It has a rack already, it would just need lights. But seems a bit pricey for a bike without disc brakes?
* [Priority Turi](https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/turi?variant=28320768557133): This one looks good, would need rack and lights. Price seems too close to continuum onyx and somehow continuum looks like twice as much better put together, not sure if that means anything?
* [Trek District 4 Equipped stagger](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/district/district-4-equipped-stagger/p/33419/?colorCode=grey): This looks like a dream. It has everything I want and looks amazing. But at nearly $1,800, I’m not sure if it’s worth the investment. Do they ever go on sale? Just putting it in the list for fun.
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Any thoughts would be appreciated. Heavily leaning for the continuum but wary now that I’ve read some unhappiness about the IGH.
Cheers
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by radiolalo