a commute of 8 to 15 miles is not a short commute in the san fran area, there is likely to be a few little hills there. I think you should have a bike with better brakes and shifters. look for downtube stifters and brake levers without those top levers. for that price, you're better off going to performance to get one of these: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3060

good luck!