I've been commuting for about a year now, ride about 10 miles a day total, with some recreational/grocery trip riding on the weekends.

In November, I got a 2009 Schwinn Sierra GS for about $330 off the local Schwinn dealer.

I just seem to have hit a wall with it - it seems to hate being in 18th gear, gear shifts seem too clunky, and I keep having problems with the back tire not being trued and rubbing against the back brakes. Just noticed tonight it's doing it this time because a spoke's popped out of place. I don't think I can fix that, so it's off to the Schwinn store for repair, again.

I also cannot seem to get the hang of downshifting where I need to be to get started properly again after a full stop, something I sometimes have to do without much warning as part of my commutes. I've been working on my "technique," but I still find myself in too high of a gear to get going after a stop sometimes. I'm scared I've already worn out my chain/gearing system.

That's why I've been really interested in getting a bike with internal gearing.

So now my Schwinn needs still more repair, and I feel like I'm throwing money away trying to keep it running correctly, money that I could be spending on a better bike with internal gearing like, say, the Torker Graduate.

But I'm not rich by any means. I'd rather not spend $500 on a new bike. I will if I think it's a better idea than keeping the bike I've got.

So am I throwing away money on my poor abused Schwinn and would be better off getting something like the Graduate, or is my lust for a new bike nothing but "gear lust" and best forgotten about?

Thanks for the help. I've got a lot to learn about all things bike, especially maintenance (like spokes, chains and gearing systems).