Living Car Free - help me pick my second bike!

I'm looking at the Bianchi Milano with three speed hub, Trek 7.2/7.3FX, and the Trek Valencia. What would the three speed hub feel like on a 24 speed bike? 2 Left:5,6,7 Right? Should I get two new bikes? Considering I don't have a car. Which would you choose?

Unless I am misunderstanding something, I would get something with more than three speeds if you are car-free.

I'm looking at the Bianchi Milano with three speed hub, Trek 7.2/7.3FX, and the Trek Valencia. What would the three speed hub feel like on a 24 speed bike? 2 Left:5,6,7 Right? Should I get two new bikes? Considering I don't have a car. Which would you choose?

I'm guessing that you live in the flat part of Oklahoma if you are considering a 3 speed; into the wind, across the wind and with the wind. I note that on the Bianchi website that the Milano comes with an 8 speed internal hub, where as a U.S. dealer is offering a 3 speed hub. I'd go for the 8 speed if possible. The Trek 7.2 FX seems comparably priced to the Milano but has more speeds and a more standard frame geometry. The Valencia is more expensive.

Given that extensive research, I'd go for the 7.2 and balance lower cost, with more gears. But make sure it has street slicks, fenders, good lights and a rack.

However, for you, you have to go and actually do a test ride of these bikes if at all possible. Your body will tell you far more about which one to pick than I could.

I think we'd need to know a lot more to give you good advice.

What's your first bike?
How far do you ride?
What terrain, road surface and climate?
Cargo?
Need for Speed?

Should I get two new bikes?
I would get one, based on your best information. It's likely that down the road you might discover something about this style of bike that you don't like. Also, different style of bikes might be useful if your carfree strategy changes over time. For example, if you suddenly need to commute longer distances, a faster road bike might be useful. Or you might suddenly discover that the 3 (or 8) speed just doesn't cut it in a headwind and look for something with really low gearing.

I think I'd just try to grow into my second bike.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2007/Eurobike/street%20rods/Bianchi-Milano-480-70.jpg
That's hot.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2007/Eurobike/street%20rods/Bianchi-Milano-480-70.jpg
That's hot.

I find functionality HOT! The Milano looks good but I dont think its as hot or functional as some other bikes. Take a look at some of the new trek hybrids!

I'm looking at the Bianchi Milano with three speed hub, Trek 7.2/7.3FX, and the Trek Valencia. What would the three speed hub feel like on a 24 speed bike? 2 Left:5,6,7 Right? Should I get two new bikes? Considering I don't have a car. Which would you choose?

None of the above.

I'm female, and have short legs (29" inseam, maybe 30ish for a bike inseam). I have arthritis problems in both knees, both ankles and my right hip, and they're severe enough to make a diamond frame bike kinda hazardous. I also regularly need to haul 30lbs of groceries, and can easily hit 50lbs. I live in town, and on a lot of my routes I average 6 stop signs per mile. This is the kind of stuff Roody is talking about when he says we need more info.

So I'm on the border between *must* have 26" wheels and it's merely a Very Good Idea. I need a step through frame. I need looooong chainstays for the bike to hold up to my cargo demands. And given my location and disabilities, an internal gear hub is a good idea. Most of the bikes you're looking at will not handle 50lbs of cargo, or they have a diamond frame, so for me they're no good.

You're not going to have the same body (I hope!), and your location is nothing like mine. And odds are good your cargo needs aren't as demanding as mine. So my answer based on my needs just isn't going to be useful to you.

I agree that the Milano is a beautiful bike, and I guess you do have some drivetrain choices. I would love to have one, and it would be a good fit for my individual needs--the model with derailleurs, that is.

A drawback is finding replacement tires. The red tires really make the bike desirable from an appearance standpoint. It wouldn't look half as cool with standard black or white sidewalls. But you're going to have a hard time with tire selction if you want to keep that look.

BTW, I saw a Milano the other day, parked near campus in East Lansing. It's as beautiful in person as in the photos.

BTW, I saw a Milano the other day, parked near campus in East Lansing. It's as beautiful in person as in the photos.

Yep, real pretty bike. Also heavy (tho not as bad as a cheap Batavus or Biria), and not meant for cargo. The chainstays are short :(. Nobody would let me test ride one. Not sturdy enough.

thank you for all of your great responses! It turns out my wife got me the 7.3FX for my Graduation present! I was surprised when she wheeled it through the door! I strapped my light on it and gave it a couple pedal strokes around the block. I'm truly impressed with this bicycle! It's really fast, quite and smooth! Now I Finally have a back up bike if something goes wrong with one of my bicycles. Now it's time to suit up my commuta! Tomorrow the High is 72 with light winds and I have the day off! So it's to the lake I must Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!