New bike for the girlfriend...
 

So in return for me getting a brooks for my birthday and probably a more expensive bike present for christmas, I'm getting my girlfriend a bicycle to be primarily used for a 2 mile commute round trip, she wants something smaller and lighter then her current mountain bike(which is WAY too big for her). So I'm thinking of getting her this http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_xi_sc1.htm Would it be a good entry level road bike? I'm sure it's fine for her commute, but I'm also thinking I might be able to take her on casual rides on this as well.. and if it's a bad commuter please say so :D

Certainly fine for casual rides, and looks like a pretty decent commuter, I've seen an orange one locked up near my office. It should be ok as long as she is comfortable with a road bike (drop bars, probably longer brake reach), stem mounted shifters (I'm not a fan personally) and thinner tires (= faster but less comfort/grip, and arguably easier to lose your balance).

Couple of other caveats though: the gearing on that bike may make hills tough (it has low gear of 39/28). Also I don't like quill stems really either because you then need a threaded fork but if you're never planning to adjust/change that part of the bike it doesn't really matter.

Yeah if you have too much in the way of hills that lower gearing may be tough depending on her fitness level. I actually like threaded forks because of the height adjustability and a threaded to threadless adapter gives you that plus the ability to throw whatever stem you want on there. Big questions if that's to be used for a commute: Will it take fenders/racks? Does she like it? Not a huge fan of stem shifters, but they're not the worst thing in the world and you could potentially swap them out for some old mtb 7 speed thumb shifters you mount near the hoods.

Stem shifters...ewwww

I think you can do better than that!

2 miles....something like this would be fine, and way more classy, which for the ladies seems to be a big priority....er at least with my lady.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...an_lad_600.jpg

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/oxford.htm

The biggest thing is does she like it? My girlfriend always tells me she could never use drop bars, and wishes she had more gears(she has a 3speed Linus Mixtie, she picked it out. The bike is probably an ok bike, I don't really know. And if there is a better bike she is wanting and it cost more you could probably just pay for a large part of it, if it's the one she really wants.

I don't know her skill level or riding style. There are lots of good bikes on BD

I hope that helps.maybe you could give us more info

My girlfriend has the Linus mixte this is based off of. She did a 2day 80mile tour on it with no real problems.

The bike should grow with her skill and love for bikes does

If she only wants to ride it to work, I'd agree with Zoltani. The Windsor Oxford is a better choice for her uses. Plus, she can ride it in a skirt and heels. Can't do that with the road bike. If she shows interest in doing longer rides, then you buy the road bike.

A couple things one I'm a C&V guy and I'm going to be her bike mechanic, so quill stem is fine same as threaded fork, two I'm going to be putting a straight bar on it just about right away and thumbies since the one thing she hates about road bikes is the drops. Also, the areas around here are flat unless you go out of your way to hunt hills! As for a better bike.. she tried to talk me into buying her a walmart bike I know this is a cheap bike, but it's also 2-3 times what she wants me to pay for one. Here's how I'm looking at it, girlfriend wants commuter bike, girlfriend complains she wants to be fit like me/do more stuff with me so in a devious way this is a commuter to tempt her to road bikes hopefully.. and she says she likes the bike as long as it doesn't have drops like in the picture.

Sounds like you already knew what you wanted before you posted. Do it, but I still say that the mixte would be a better commuter...especially with the information that it is flat where you are.

Trek has some nice WSD bikes.

FWIW light Mixte frames are noodly. those 2 thin tubes not the same
as one larger one.

Noodly? I'd always heard they were more stable than a traditional step through that has the stays meeting up at the top of the seattube.

Pretty much, but I was thinking the Commuter crowd could save my butt if I was completely off base and you guys did actually help me settle that one.
Edit: Oh and I would love to give her a mixte especially since I'm a C&V guy, but she doesn't like them.. based on aesthetics of course.. meanwhile if I lose a couple notches of "manliness" I'd probably ride one...