Originally Posted by
joose
....... Conversely, which models, brands give nothing but sweet simple riding pleasure?
Haven't ridden a broad enough range to say which require most, but since you also ask about least.....
If I was a commuter, the hands down winner is the Strida - almost nothing to rust in the rain, hub brakes still work fine even through last year's floods (not quite so wet this year), punctures are trivial to repair (& we've had plenty of those) & neither bike has had anything done other than cleaning. Nice small footprint, stroll nicely, but tall of course.
SInce owning the Strida, I now have experience with 2 406 mm. wheeled bikes, both requiring derailleur adjustment from time to time, but not too arduous. One of them has good brakes, the other downright dangerous.
My most recent folder has a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub, & no adjustments so far after ~ 350 miles.
So, commuting in the wet, < 16 kms say, & not too steep hills, Strida, definitely requiring the least maintenance, & great fun to ride.
Big hills, need more speed than a single 56" gear gives, long distance, then some other bike probably, but almost certainly more maintenance required.............