Trek Belleville

If you want a comfort bike with all the bells and whistles -- but are working with a limited budget -- reviewers say the Trek Belleville is a good choice. This comfort bike comes decked out with all the commuting accessories you could want, including a chain guard, front and rear cargo racks, fenders and dynamo-powered lights. Five frame sizes are available (in addition to several women-specific sizes in a step-through design). Reviewers say the upright riding position is comfortable, and the bike's handling is stable -- even when the cargo racks are fully loaded. The three-speed drivetrain doesn't provide much power for hills, so experts say the Trek Belleville is best suited for cruising around town or short, flat commutes. We also saw some complaints about the caliper brakes, which perform poorly in wet weather. If you can afford to spend more, the Breezer Uptown Infinity (MSRP: $1,270) gets the best reviews overall.

The best review of the Trek Belleville comes from Bicycling magazine, which includes the comfort bike in its annual buyer's guide. The bike is personally tested, and although no ratings are given, the review is nicely balanced. The biking blog CarFreePhilly.com also has detailed commentary. User reviews are scarce for most comfort bikes, but we found a decent selection at TrekBikes.com.