I'm a 44 year-old newbie to both this forum and bicycling. I rode a bike a LOT as a kid, but haven't ridden much at all worth mentioning since I got my driver's license nearly thirty years ago. I've suddenly got it in my head that riding a bike to work would be a good thing for me. There is also a paved bike and walking trail near my home that I walk a lot on now but would like to ride a bike on, but that would be a secondary purpose. My main use would be commuting the 6 miles to work (12 round trip) on relatively flat city/suburban streets. There are some hills, but only if I leave my intended route to run errands, or to ride the bike path up the canyon.

So, I already mentioned I'm 44 and in relatively good health. My knees do bother me sometimes. I'm also overweight at 5' 10" and 230 lbs. Of course, I'm hoping to drop some pounds by getting regular exercise, but I think I should get a bike that is comfortable for me to ride now.

Like the title suggests, I'm seriously looking at the Giant Via 1 for that commute. Steel frame, upright riding position, fenders, rear rack (for a laptop and maybe some clothes), and a three speed internal hub. It sounds just right for me, but like I said, I'm a complete newbie, so I'm second-guessing myself. Do any of you have any experience with this bike, or have other suggestions for me to consider?

The reason I started looking at Giant in the first place is because the two LBSs near me sell either Giant, Raleigh, or Trek. I live in an area of Utah where bicycle commuting is uncommon, and as a result they don't actually have the Via in stock, but there is a dealer willing to order, assemble, and sell it to me for $475. That also includes one year of service. That's $75 less than the $550 the Giant website says is the average price, so it seems like a good deal, assuming the bike is a good fit for me.

Do you think this bike will work for what I'm planning to use it for, and can anyone look into their crystal ball and tell me whether I'm going to be happy with the purchase or regret it? Thanks a lot for any help or pointers you can give.