My commuter bike was recently stolen, and I am thinking through possible replacements. My previous bike was a Jamis Commuter 3 with a Shimano Nexus internal hub. I had added lots of aftermarket accessories: chainguard, cargo rack, Portland Design Works fenders, bottle cage, bell, lights, reflectors, kickstand, puncture resistant tires, etc.
A few more notes about my preferences:
- I really liked the low-maintenance nature of the internal hub and the way the fenders and chainguard made it simple to keep clothes clean while cycling.
- I'm interested in getting dynamo lights so I don't have to worry about keeping batteries charged, and because they seem harder to steal.
- The old bike was heavy between the frame and accessories, so it'd be sweet to keep the new one lighter, or at least under 30lbs.
- I'd consider an ebike so long as the battery was removable for charging and/or riding with less weight.
I've found a few potential replacements and am looking for advice on
- which are likely to be most durable and repairable / have the best quality components,
- which are the best value,
- your experience with any of these bikes,
- and suggestions for other options I should be considering
The potential bikes:
- Trek District 4 Equipped ~$1600-1700 Shimano Alfine S7000, 8-speed, gates belt drive, chainguard, dynamo lights, fenders
- Public d8i Disk Limited ~$1400, shimano 8 speed, has chainguard, fenders, kickstand, no lights.
- Priority Continuum Onyx ~$500-1000 used, Enviolo CVT, fenders, dynamo lights, no chainguard. I test rode this once and liked it, but found the handlebar height too low, and heard that it's not easy to adjust on this model/.
- Cannondale Bad Boy 1 ~$1900, shimano alfine 8 speed, no chainguard or fenders, integrated lights that are custom but likely hard to replace, interesting structure that might absorb shocks from potholes?
- Creme Cycles Ristretto Lightning $???, 8 speed internal, belt drive, dynamo lights, front and rear racks, seems great but having trouble finding it for purchase in the US
- Creme Cycles Caferacer Doppio, ~$925, 8 speed internal, chainguard, fenders, racks. Looks like newer models have dynamo lights but I can't find those for purchase in the US
- Brilliant L Train City Bike ~$700, shimano 7 speed, belt drive. Includes basically no commute accessories.
- Brooklyn Bicycle Driggs 8i ~$1099, shimano 7 speed, chainguard and fenders, no lights, traditional chain
- Nirve 8 Speed Commuter Bike ~$600 secondhand, shimano 8 speed, dynamo lights, chainguard, no fenders. Haven't heard of the brand before
by jleitei