Looking for commuter bike recommendations
 

Ive been riding and old Schwinn bike for the past few months. I want to step up to something nicer.
My budget is around $1000. I have a 10 mile round trip commute. My priorities are ride comfort and seat comfort. I want a bike that handles and stops well in the rain.
Please share your recommendations.

If you're in a very rainy region, you might want to avoid a steel frame -- I hear they can rust. Also, disk-brakes might be better than rim- for wet weather. Fenders, too, probably will be important to you, and internal-gearing could be useful (but you might need the greater range of a derailleur system).

Have you looked at the Giant TranSend EX?

Almost any standard hybrid-style bike would work.
This is my urban runabout.
It has some neat features for practicality and low maintenance.
The hub gears are 8 speed, very clean and efficient, low maintenance and easy to use.
The disk brakes are about as good as rim brakes in the dry but continue to work as well in the wet.
The tyres are fat and good over cobbles and rough ground but also slick and very efficient at rolling along.
It has 26" MTB wheels but this wont make a great deal of difference over 5 miles.

Suspension systems are generally a waste of time, they add weight and maintenace and interfere with correct fitting of bolt-on luggage rack and fenders.

Saddles are too personal to take any advice from other people....but soft "cushy" padded saddles are less comnfortable than they appear. A saddle should support your sit-bones firmly. If you sink down, it will apply pressure to all the squishy bits, cut off blood supply and pressure nerves.

I've been searching and searching for someone who has bought a new Trek SOHO with belt drive. I think it would make the perfect all-weather commuter. I'd love to own one, but have never ridden one. It is less than $1000, so please buy it and report back! :D It has internal brakes, internal gears, fenders included, and braze ons for racks in the front and back, and the belt drive doesn't need grease and can't rust.

I currently own a steel frame touring bike. Frame rust is not an issue and the rim brakes work fine in the rain. I think any rim brakes would work OK when wet as long as you have alloy rims and good pads. I've been dreaming about the new Trek SOHO as a second bike for winter. I live in an area with lots of snow and winter salting. My current bike goes into storage in November and comes out in late March.

I second this guy, if you can find one, try the SOHO with a belt for us.

Otherwise, I ride an 08 Kona Dew Plus and it works well for my 20 mile round trip commute and is comfortable with the stock seat for this distance.

When you decide on a bike try to budget in any upgrades you want/need at the time. Rack, bags, new seat, etc can all add up quick.

This is my winter bike:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=482897

It rains nearly every day from November to May here, and this bike has served me well. I've recently added Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires, which are supposed to have excellent grip in wet conditions.

Leave $100 in your budget for a comfy saddle, but if you're going to ride in the rain a lot, ask pointed questions of the hordes who will shortly recommend a Brooks B17. I use a Specialized Avatar, and it's pretty good. The Specialized Body Geometry saddles come in multiple sizes, which is key to comfort. Get measured.

I asked these sorts of questions on this forum and ended up with a Cross Check with a Brooks B17. Beware. :) Great combo though, and right around your price range.

What's the advantage of a belt-system over a chain-system?

I suspect that the elimination of chain lube is one of the primary advantages of a belt drive.

As for a recommendation, I'll put my vote in for my fairly new ride - 09 Trek Valencia.

aluminum frame, steel fork
700c wheels, 700x32 tires
disc brakes
front/rear rack mounts
fender mounts
fairly upright position
super comfy handlebars/ergo grips.
outer chainring guard
got it for around $680

have yet to put on a rack/fenders and see if they play nicely with the disc brakes, but it's usually not that difficult to find a workaround if a conflict occurs. so far, it's been really good. the brakes squealed like a pig in the rain when i took it on a recent Tour de Cure. i'll find a way to fix it, or upgrade to avid bb7 mechanicals like i do with all my other disc brake bikes.

oh yeah, it comes stock with a bell. respect the bell, people.

Commuter rig
 

I'm looking for a good commuter too. I have an old Biachi Nyala MTB that is in dire need of a refurb, and it will be almost as cost effective to purchase a new bike. I would like a commuter with a more upright geometry, with a more road bike-like gearing. I almost never left the third chainring when riding my Bianchi, so I would like something geared a wee bit higher. mud guards and chainguards are a plus, but I want the bike itself to be mechanically what I want. The accessories can always come later...
Thanks!