Commuting - Novak, Dixon, or something else

My bike was stolen aand I am about to buy a new one.

I live in Philadelphia downtown, light bike rider, at times I will have one of my kids in a buggy or on the back.

Love the Swobo Novak, but I've had a few people tell my 3 gears ain't enough if you are hauling a kid. Like the Dixon but really don't want to drop grand on a bike.

1) 3-gears enough?
2) What do suggest in terms of hybrid "mountain bike styled" internal geared bikes with ~7 or more gears?

I'm not aware of any bikes with 7-8 speed hubs any lower than the $700 bracket, so the small stretch to $1000 opens alot of options.

Trek Soho: carbon belt drive, 700c wheels, great reviews. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/#

Giant Seek: similar to the Soho, but chain drive http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/lifestyle/2345/32164/

Bianchi Milano Alfine: $ 899 retail, 26"wheels, fenders, stylish frame. I'm not too hip on the chain tensioner (it IS a hub-geared bike). I commute on the 2005 Nexus 8-sp version and swapped the bars for flat mountain bike bars. http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycles/09-cross-terrain/09-xt-milano-alfine.html

Jamis' 8sp offering: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/commuter/09_commuter3_spec.html

There are more, but these are a start.....

Thanks. I will take a lookat those.

I guess I am still wondering if the 3 speed Novak is enough or if I need the additional gears.
If I need the additional gears, I might go with a traditional gearing system and save the dough.

Any comments on 3 speeds, in a city (some hills), with a kid in tow???

I have the Dixon and like it a lot. The hub is not as smooth shifting as the Shimano Alfine or Rohloff on other bikes I have but no problems with it so far. I have set the Dixon up as my grocery shopping bike.

A 3 speed hub is pretty limiting IMO, particularly for loaded use or pulling a trailer. The overall range is such that you would need to gear for a lower low gear which would have you spinning out in high gear when unloaded I suspect.

One more.

The Masi Souville 7?

Finding deals on it (<$700)
7 gears (which is more than 3, I think)
Don't love the less mnt bike styling but it could work.

It would be my only bike so I assume it would be OK on light trails as well as street

One more.

The Masi Souville 7?

Finding deals on it (<$700)
7 gears (which is more than 3, I think)
Don't love the less mnt bike styling but it could work.

It would be my only bike so I assume it would be OK on light trails as well as street

That is a sweet looking bike. Actually quite similar to the milano, but I prefer the 700c wheels on the Masi.

The one thing I'd be hesitant about on the Soulville 7 is the coaster brake, which may not be sufficient to slow you down (particularly emergency braking) with a full load (panniers or trailer).
If it is possible to add a front brake, that would resolve the issue.