Look into the Shimano Alfine if you decide to go with moderately priced internal gears. Harris Cyclery has them and probably others. It gives you the option of upgrading to disk brakes later if you should choose to and it's supposedly the best Shimano internally geared hub. I'd also make sure to get a disc ready dynamo hub. If you are/decide to become a year round commuter I think disk brakes make a big difference in snow and wet weather. At least I know my rim brakes suck in snow