Originally Posted by
Phaseshift
so I went to the LBS today and tried on a couple bikes, tried the trek 7.2(?) and the giant rapid, I like both bikes, the seat needs a little getting used to. I told him that I would be commuting 40 miles 3x a week and he recommended those two, and also the Giant Seek but he said if I were to go with the Seek he recommended the seek 1 which has 27 gears.
Although I really like the seek 0, but it has 8 gears only. Would you guys still recommend the Seek with 8 gears? considering that within the next year or two I will be living in San Francisco? or should I go with the one that has more geering?
SF hills might require a real "granny" gear, which is not what you get with the Nexus/Alfine setup. (I hear the Sturmey-ARcher 8 has a really low hill-climbing gear, but that's not offered on Giant bikes.) So yes I would proably go with the Giant Rapid (or FCR, as it was called last year--might be cheaper).
the main reason to get the internal gears (8) is if you have a lot of stops on your commute. in that case, take it from me it's Really Nice not to have to downshift and keep pedaling while you're trying to come to a quick stop. Instead, you can just shift at the light and start up easily again.
good luck