So today I accepted a job offer to work with a company for a 6 month student co-op (internship). I'll be working with them from early January to late June. The ride is just 14 miles each way. I haven't ridden it yet, but I've scoped it out on Google Maps and Street View. The ride is relatively flat with some small rolling hills. It is in Massachusetts nearby the coast. I intend to bike 5 days a week to the job, home and back, although there is a bus if I ever want to take it. My friends think I'm crazy but I really want to go ahead with it.

Over the past year I've learned a lot about fixed gear bikes and I know what is good and what is low quality, but I don't know very much about other styles of bikes. I like fixed gear and single speed bikes, but I think that getting a geared bike will make for an easier six months on my body, as well as allow for a faster commute.

I am looking to buy a bike for this commute and all or any of the equipment and winter biking clothes I will need. I plan on living car-free indefinitely, so would like to purchase a bike well suited to that. I was thinking about maybe getting a touring style bike? Also right now I don't have really any warm clothes, or clothes suited for riding in the rain or snow, so I need to get all of that.

I could probably spend around $1500 on all of this stuff. I'm curious as to what all of your thoughts are, especially in regards to bike suggestions.