I've been a fairweather commuter for the last two years, but in the last couple months, I've been more consistent, commuting every day. It makes a huge difference in my mood at work.

My problem is: it's downhill, mostly, going into work, so I get there reasonably unsweaty... and uphill on the way home. I hate the going home part.

The biggest part of the issue is that I'm 260#, but I can more easily change the bike (though I'm working on the weight. But I gotta be realistic about this).

I've been alternating between my Townie 3-speed, which is adorable but makes me hate the day I was born while riding up the hills, and my sweetheart's Townie 24-speed (which is better. But still). Rising up to hammer on the pedals feels icky. Neither of the Townies fit on our bus racks either.

I've heard great things about the Breezers, but I'm not ready to pay that kinda money for a commuter. And then at my LBS, I saw the Trek T80 Navigator. Actually, I wouldn't have noticed it except a Dutch woman had spotted it and very excitedly kept exclaiming that it was like a Dutch bike.

I did a test ride last night. It comes with everything you could need for commuting, it's tremendously light and feels very solid, I could stand on the pedals and hammer away and feel totally balanced. The price is right, and it has road tires, which makes me hopeful I won't be such a slow poke. But.... I feel like I have to totally lean the bike over to put my feet on the ground. I don't think I can even tippy-toe.

I am so spoiled by the Townie that I'm unsure now what I should do. Is this something that I'll just get used to? Or am I looking at the wrong bike? Help please!