First post:

I am an urban bike commuter who also regularly transports children using a bike seat or sometimes a gator hitch. I've been using a cheap old hybrid bike, which I loath, and I've come to believe that a step-through frame is a must with child seats, since they prevent one from swing one's leg over the rear of the bike to mount it. Any way, I've settled on two bikes and don't know which would be a wiser choice, the Public C7 or the Linus Dutchi 8, which are the two cheapest and nicest step-through bikes I've found with more than 3 gears.

http://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-C7
http://www.linusbike.com/models/dutchi-8/

Keep in mind that the listed price of the C7 does not include the $125 shipping fee I will have to pay.

As far as I can tell, the only meaningful difference is that the Public uses a derailleur and the Linus has an internal hub. I have no experience with internal hubs and don't know how big of a deal that is. The Linus has a higher MSRP, but I can use a certificate at a local seller that makes the price of the Linus only negligibly more. Plus I'll be able to buy it from a local seller.

Are there other things I should be concerned about? Does anyone have any experience with either? I want something that will be worry free and last. So reliability and durability are important to me.

Thoughts?