Test rode a townie
 

Test rode a Townie today. It's the best bike I've ridden yet.
8 speed internal hub. It's a bit expensive at $800+
looks great though, chrome silver with fenders, a rack and a light

That is great. A Townie is what I would like to get. I have some weight to loose though and are joining Weight Watchers on Monday to go together with using the excercise bike I have at home. Given a couple of months I will want to get a bike to ride outdoors (although we are in Autumn so a while to go until Spring is here).
I have been looking at the ladies Townies and are trying to decide between the 3 speed, 8 speed, 8 speed balloon and 21 speed. It looks like you were looking at the 8 speed 700C Commuter model. It looks great. I am new to all of this though....but I gather that the 700C is referring to the tyre size. Are you able to confirm this please?

Yes, 700c would be the rim/tire size.

Extra gears would be preferable unless you live in a very flat area, i.e. I'd recommend the 8spd over the 3spd. The internally geared hubs are low maintenance items but more expensive to fix if something goes wrong. The Nexus hubs are very durable for recreational riding though so you should not have much worry about that. If you live in a hilly area, the 21spd (3x7 with 3 in front and 7 rear) might be a better option. In most cases, your choices will likely be between the 8 and 21 speed bikes. Balloon tires will be more comfy but not as "efficient" as tires that are smaller and higher pressure than the balloon tires. It may not make too much of a difference which tire you go with (balloon or not). You may be able to mount other types of tires on the same rims. But check with the shop on what size tires the rims can handle.

Thank you for that information. I have been learning a lot on here.
Now that I have been reading more and considering my bike options more, I am now considering either the 8 speed or 21 speed. I do like the sound of less maintenance with the internal hub in the 8 speed version though.
As for tyres, I need to consider that more because I could go with either of balloon, 26"x2" or 700C.

Either rim size will be fine for recreational riding.

You will have more tire options with the 26" although available, the narrow high pressure selection is small. With the 700c, the wider low pressure selection is small. But frankly, either rim size will do fine. If you plan on more road/path type riding, I'd recommend the 700c. It will "roll" a little better than the 26". The 26" would likely be a more durable wheel in that it would handle pot holes and such better. A well built 700c is by no means unreliable.

Thank you for your comments regarding rims masiman.
I think that I will have to try them and see what I like best, although I may be leaning more towards the 26" at the moment.

Jodi

Jodi, I have a Townie 21 700c and am extremely happy with it. The 700c wheels roll very nicely and since I ride on the street or paved bike paths pretty much all of the time, they work for me. I've had the bike since the first of January, and have not found anything I don't like about it. I will probably upgrade the wheels and gearing at some point when I know more about this sort of thing. The 8 speed would probably have been fine for me, because I am only using the middle 7 gears on my bike now. But, I have also heard that the internal hubs are more expensive to fix if something goes wrong.

Good luck in your hunt.