Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
I suggest you look a little farther than your immediate neighborhood or cycling club to see what German people ride for everyday transportation.
Attached are pictures of my Raggazi bought in 2000 for DM268 at the REAL supermarket in Hockenheim. It is a seven speed Sachs IGH with and now has over 40,000 miles on it. Still use it daily. Also attached are pictures of three bikes I bought from the local Opel Car dealer- a three Speed Vaterland (DM400), 3 speed Calvin made by Bria, (approx.350 €) and a seven speed IGH Zero Seven (approx. 550€) They are typical of the bikes I saw in use throughout my 10 years in Germany, (1986-1991, 1997-2002) though the 7 speed IGH at the time was uncommon.
I believe this kind of simple and reliable, relatively inexpensive bike would serve the OP's need for daily bicycle transportation in Hamburg, or anywhere else, for urban commuting and provide the most value for her money. Just as it does for many, if not most, German commuters.
Sorry man, but I don't see how a 10-year old supermarket bike is helpful to the OP. I'm simply stating that in the €350-€550 commuter bike pricepoint one would expect a 7-speed IGH, front wheel dynamo, fenders, racks, LED lights, bell and hydraulic disc/rim brakes. As for people currently riding a 10-year old bike, it definitely happens, but isn't useful for the non-bicycle-mechanic OP.
Also, most German do scrap their bikes after 10 years, especially if they live in an urban area where the bike goes unprotected. In a village, sure they'd keep it.