upgraded bike for commute advice?

[vwlphb]

Hi everyone!

I currently ride a Torker Graduate commuter bike (http://www.torkerusa.com/archives/2010-graduate) going to and from work,about 3.5 miles each way. It's always been a bit big for me (I won it in a raffle, and it's close to my size), so I'm looking at treating myself to a new bike.

Currently there are two I'm considering - the Felt Cafe 24 Deluxe (http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Cafe/Cafe-Series/Caf--24-Deluxe-Womens.aspx), which is a nice casual bike, or the Giant Escape 0 W 2012 (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/escape.0.w/8909/48619/), more of a fitness bike, which my LBS has a great deal on (it comes out to about $510, usually $790). I know they are very different bikes, but I'm having trouble deciding which I should go with. I mainly only bike to and from work and sometimes to the mall a bit further out, not really on trails, but I want a bike that is going to be most comfortable with regular use.

Does anyone on the boards have either of these bikes, and can you let me know how you like them?

Thanks!

[ZenBiker]

I haven't ridden either of the bikes you're looking at so can't help much there. But I have a couple friends who wanted to bike commute and started out with bikes that were sort of like the Felt - very upright, cruiser types. One stopped bike commuting but happily rides her bike to the coffee shop on Saturday mornings. The other kept commuting but bought a bike more along the lines of the Giant within a year. Not saying you would have the same experience, but I do think the Giant is going to be more versatile and may keep you happy longer, and would probably be easier (hence more fun) to ride on a daily basis especially if your commute has any hills.

[TigerMom]

If they both feel the same to you in terms of comfort, I would personally pick the lighter bike.