Breezer Finesse

If you can spend $2,000 on a commuter bike, reviewers say the Breezer Finesse is the one to get. This comfort bike gets rave reviews for speedy performance, which is a big plus for riders with long commutes. The 29-pound Breezer Finesse sports an aluminum frame, and it has high-quality components like Shimano Alfine disc brakes and eight-speed shifters. It also comes with pretty much all of the accessories you would need for commuting, including hub-powered headlights and tail lights, a 14-inch rear rack, fenders, a kickstand and a bell to clear your path in congested urban areas. Reviewers say the Breezer Finesse has faster geometry than many comparable commuter bikes, and it can handle a variety of road conditions. On a negative note, Bicycling says the chain guard could be a little more substantial -- they say to skip the Breezer Finesse if "grease on your pants is a problem. " Overall, however, reviewers say the Breezer Finesse is a top-of-the-line commuter bike that is a good choice if you can afford it. If you have less to spend, the Breezer Uptown 8 (MSRP: $1,160) also gets good reviews, including an Editor's Choice award from Bicycling magazine. The Breezer Finesse would be preferable if you have a long commute, but the Breezer Uptown 8 is a good choice for short commutes, errands or leisurely rides.

The Breezer Finesse is featured in a number of publications, including Bicycling and Women's Adventure magazines. Both publications test the bike and provide detailed and balanced reviews. Bike blogs are also a good source of information on the Breezer Finesse, including EcoVelo.info. EcoVelo.info provides a useful and very detailed review based on personal testing. Few owner-written reviews are available.