Priority Eight vs Priority L Train?
 

My trusty commuter hybrid bike, the Giant Escape, which has served me well here on the mean streets of NYC the last 10 years finally died. The aluminum frame cracked in half. Poor thing. I tried duct taping it together, but it's time to face the music and buy a new bike. I am definitely going to get my first bike with a gates carbon belt drive. And It's between the Priority Eight and the Priority L-Train. I like the classic looks of the L-Train. It's steel frame is sure to hold up well on the streets of NYC. It even has a model with old school rim breaks. However, I'm a tall rider(6'4") and I've read on some forums that the L train is not that comfortable for tall riders. Anyone with experience on this? I do like the Priority 8. It's only $100 more than the disc version of the L Train but has an alphine 8 speed hub instead of a nexus 7 speed. It's also lighter with its aluminum frame & carbon fork which will make taking it up & down stairs much easier. Any experience & advice on either of these bikes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

With you being 2xl and this brand selling only three sizes I have to wonder if you are going to get a good fit at all.

They do give stack, reach, seat tube angle, and ETT so the first thing would be to compare those to the bike you had

I agree. Be sure to test ride before buying. Priority Headquarters is in Manhattan, so there should be dealers nearby.

I've built a few Priority bikes out of the box and they've all been pretty meh.

Their section on proper sizing says the XL fits those with inseam 32.5 - 35". Do you fit in that range? Its sizing chart under the Geometry header says it's for riders up to 6'3, but if your inseam fits in the range, you can probably scoot the seat back in the rails and get a bit longer stem and still have a good fit. However, I just remembered that Priority is based in NYC. Why not give them a call or email and see if you can drop by and try one on for size?

If you fit in that range, splash out a bit and get the Eight. Its disc brakes will be so much better than you're used to in the rain. Hydraulic brakes always just feel great.

The L Train looks like a bit more upright posture, which do you prefer?

All that said, I don't think that would be my choice for a city commuter; where's the rack & fenders for the wet days? I'm sure you can add them, but factory fenders tend to fit better.

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Did you look at the Specialized Source Eleven?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/so...or=80591-36253

It has the Gates belt drive, but superior Alfine 11 hub out back (runs in oil instead of grease, easier to service) and a generator hub up front with built-in lights and includes rack, fenders and belt guard.

It sounds like this bike is something you're going to use until it dies, so it's worth spending a bit to get something really nice and convenient.

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Another great option for NYC might be the Priority Folder: https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/folder

It says it fits riders up to 6'4, with its telescoping seatpost and it could easily accommodate a multi-modal commute and will store more easily in your place. It's heavier, but fits in a bag, so is easier to carry anyway.

There will be a bit of a performance penalty, compared to the larger-wheeled bikes, on top of the penalty for internal gearhub vs. derailleur gears, but I bet it's worth it for it being cleaner and so portable. You would maybe even bring it in and not have to lock it up.

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Or how about a used Brompton? Even more portable. (16" wheels) Folds with chain on the inside and rolls on special wheels on the rack when folded. This is maybe the perfect NYC choice; you'd give up some performance for portability.

imagining 6ft4 on a Brommie

It's a funny picture, but Brits DO come in that size, so I bet Brompton seatposts can accommodate. Their stems certainly can.

...as opposed to some of these Asian folders. I've had 3 in a row now where for me (5'9, 31" inseam) to get full leg extension, the seatpost is maxed out in height. It's almost as if these Asian engineers can't imagine how long our legs are.

Chuck was 6'3" and used to borrow our demo Brompton all the time at the AdMo shop. The telescopic seatpost is good for like 39" inseam.

Just FYI that Specialized is from 2012, the link threw me off but then saw it was a 2025 thread. Super cool bike but long out of print, I have never seen one in person and have worked for a Specialized dealer since 2014. I would consider getting one if they still made it. Everyone always has to get rid of the good bikes, Specialized knocked out the AWOL and the Sequoia (the newer one or the older one not the early 2000s abomination) and they got rid of the Langster, this is another bike they got rid of and they just discontinued the old Vado SL and made the new one heavier which I don't dig.

bfold is a bike shop on E 13 St that specializes in small-wheel bikes. I haven't been there, but a friend swears by it.

I have a Priority 8 and it is...fine. It was my first bike with a gear hub and belt drive, but my experience has been mixed. I have had occasional gear grinding under heavy torque loads, especially when starting in a low gear and really putting a food down to get going. It seems to be related to the hub not fully engaging the lower gear after downshifting when coming to a stop.Supposedly the hubs can shift when stopped, but I have found that a 1/2 pedal is sometimes required to make sure everything is fully engaged. Not sure how common of an issue this is, but the sound of the gears grinding is sad.

Weight distribution is different if you are coming from a bike with a derailleur. Hub at the back defiantly makes the bike back heavy, something to consider if you have to go up and down stairs.

The bike also does not feel fast. There is some power loss in the hub and some power loss from the belt itself. Stock tires are also pretty slow rolling IMO.

On a positive note, so far maintenance free after ~1,000 miles of wet and snowy riding. This bike is my first with hydro brakes, and there is really no going back.

I am 6'1" and got a Large - fit is fine. Let me know if you want any other info.

It sounds like maybe your hub isn't adjusted properly for indexing. There are two bright yellow alignment marks on the side of the hub: one on the stationary part and one on the part that rotates around as shifts are made. Shift it into the gear where the marks are most closely aligned, then adjust the mechanism so that they line up perfectly. I bet this fixes your issues.

Shimano says how to do it on pg. 20 of the manual here:
https://si.shimano.com/en/pdfs/sm/IH...11-002_ENG.pdf

If not, call or email Priority; they'll take care of you.

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Don't know if the OP has purchased a bike yet, but to add some info on the rim brake L-Train. My partner had one for several years. Definitely a good value with the low-maintenance belt drive and IGH. It was a pretty good but the ride quality was wooden. Not sure if it was the frame (straight gauge tubing?) or the tires (never swapped them out) but it had little of the supple ride quality that you expect from steel. Gearing was also a bit tall - requiring standing on some of the steeper hills in Washington DC and low RPM grinding over the 59th Street Bridge in NYC. We're 5'-8" and the M fit pretty well with a slight forward lean to the bars. She eventually sold it because her biking needs changed. It was a nice looking bike though.


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