New Commuting Bike Suggestions?

[moderncyclista]

The Jamis Satellite Sport is worth a test-ride. Beautiful, inexpensive steel bike:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...itesportf.html

Steel isn't necessarily heavy. The Jamis is fairly light. Don't know if it would accomodate racks, but I believe it would. Ask anyway. For frequent transport, a road bike is nice just because the cover ground so easily. (To me, anyway).

I'd ride both the men's and women's versions and see which fits best. The difference is in proportion, could go either way. (Don't let a shop talk you into women-specific just because you are female, you may or may not need that.

My friend just fell in love with a Specialized Ariel, which is a hybrid. Not as good for longer rides, but such a pretty, comfortable bike! The good thing about a lot of hybrids with front suspension forks is that you can set them to remain ridgid for road, and suspended for off-road or rough terrain.

The Ariel we saw isn't pictured on the website, but it's the 'sport' version, retails for 610 dollars, and was a beautiful metallic red with scroll-work on the front end. Freakin georgous!

I have a Surly LHT that I was lucky to get, but the Jamis isn't a bad option. I like their bikes and they're steel which is so much better than aluminum, in my opinion.

[blackhillsbiker]

I thought I didn't care for the aluminum in my Dew, but I love everything else. It fits me like a glove. Then I got new tires, and it smoothed everything out wonderfully. I have really appreciated the disk brakes on my winter commute. I have a rack, fenders, lights, bell...

Deb