I am a brand new bike commuter, going on three weeks. I went through exactly what I imagine you are going through on selecting from among the huge number of bikes available. I decided to stick with what were termed commuters. In my web search stumbled across the Breezers. Compared them with the REI commuter bikes and my wife and I decided to purchase the Breezers. I got the U frame Uptown 8 and my wife got the U frame Villager.

I decided to get the U frame as it is so much easier to mount and dismount. The bike comes completely equipped as a commuter. The only thing I have added is a bike lock and their bag to put on the rack. I couldn't be happier with my choice. A big factor in our decision was the internal hub gear system. It is so easy to change gears, even when stopped. Everything I can read on the hubs mentions the vastly lower maintenance requirements vs a deraillieur gear system. A mechanic at the LBS where we purchased mentioned, after our purchase by the way, that he has the same system and has never needed to repair or even adjust it after several years. Another mechanic who taught a class to recent buyers of bikes at the LBS how to do simple maintenance and how to change a flat tire, mentioned to me that he had never had one come in for maintenance that required breaking into the hub for repair. This LBS is one of the largest in the nation, so they see their fair share of bikes to be repaired.

The hub generator for the front and back lights was also a selling point for me. I keep the lights on all the time. I can see no good reason to ever ride without the lights. The small difference in pedaling resistance when the lights are on or off is insufficient reason to not run the lights(I can barely detect any difference anyway) in my opinion. As one of the reasons I am riding is for health, the increased resistance, if any, can be considered a plus factor anyway.

One thing that has surprised me is how much fun I have been having riding the bike on the commute. In fact, after only three weeks of riding two to three times a week, I miss not riding the bike on the days that I have to, for other reasons, take the car instead of the bicycle.

People wave to me on the streets and even speak to me. This never occurred when I drove the car. I hear the birds, feel the wind, listen to the quite hum of the tires; I highly recommend it.

Look at the Breezers, they are specifically designed for commuting.