I use my bike as my primary means of transportation. So I use it to get to school and work in all weather and all times of the day and night. So I wanted a bike with fenders and a chain gaurd. I like to wear skirts, so i wnated a bike that I could do that with. Also, I ride all year long in NE, and after a winter the back wheel is toast, and all those cogs and a new chain is expensive. I wanted something that could stand up to the elements better.