Agreed, though the number of bikes with NuVinci hubs is low.

Most of my CitiBike trips are relatively short ... < 10 minutes ... and the version of bike I use is of absolutely no import. Last week, I had cause to bike from W 14th St to the East 70's and return ... 30 minutes northbound and 40 minutes returning southbound on the westside pedpath into a headwind. I specifically sought out bikes with the NuVinci hub. I've got to say: I really like the continuously variable adjustment. My personal bikes are geared for touring, with multi-tooth gaps between the lower gears. Frequently, no choice is quite right. With the NuVinci, I liked being able to fine-tune my selection, particularly pleasant on my return trip into a headwind.

But I'm sure what will really make the decision for Motivate is lower maintenance / higher reliability, not users' preference or comfort. I suppose because we're seeing more bikes with the NuVinci hub, that decision's been made.

Quick query: I find the direction in which the v1.0 (the Shimano hub) and the NuVinci hand grips rotate to be counter-intuitive; The Sturmey-Archer hand grip rotates in the "right" direction. No big deal. Is that just me?