Right now - that's looking like my best option.

If you're going under four-hunge your best bet is probably used, will be hard to get a major brand (I have brands I prefer, but I don't brand advocate because it's subjective; I can tell you who I like, but they may not fit you as well as me. A lot of the frames from a lot of the big brands are all probably made in the same couple of factories in Taiwan with brand-specified geometries and decaled for whatever brand anyway. What I'm really talking about is an established reputation that probably won't get you a lemon or attempted sodomy.) for that new. You could check Performance Bikes, the Fuji and Scatantte stuff is good even if snobs consider them "off" brands. I've also heard decent things about the Motobecanes from the previously mentioned bikes direct. Typically I stay away from brand reccos, but with a lower budget in mind I would have more of a concern with overall build quality in budget brands.

I've seen people but internet bikes as an xxx, Dura Ace (implying a full DA gruppo) for a great price, not reading the specs and getting a bike with a DA cassette and the rest go the gruppo is a mix of 105/Alivo. Shame on them for not reading, but still a shitty bait-and-switch type tactic.

And thanks for offering this as a repository, didn't want to thread-jack you too hard.

I just don't want to overspend on something which is basically a recreational, commuter bike.

And I work in the flooring business - trust me, I am aware of the "get what you pay for" motto.

I think at maximum I would spend $200 on a bike. I think that's reasonable for a used bike.

I guess I didn't know near enough about bikes than I had originally thought.

I will swing by Capps on Friday to start actually looking.

It's going to be tough to find something decent in that price range. If you get a crappy bike, you won't enjoy riding and it will end up collecting dust in your garage. I just dropped nearly $1000 on a new bike, and I had to settle for low-end components at that price. Plus I'll be in for another $300 in accessories by the time I'm done. It's not a cheap hobby but it can be a lot of fun. And in my case, it's stress relief. I love going out by myself on some of the rural trails and just getting away from it all for several hours. It's hard to put a price on that.

There's just no way I can shell out much more than $200 for a commuter bike.

And I realize I am not going to get a great bike for $200 or less.

I just want something I can ride to and from work comfortably.

How far is your commute?

It can be expensive, but don't let that discourage you.

For $200 you should be able to find something used to fit your needs, it may just take some patience and work.

5.8 miles total.

All pavement/sidewalks.

Shit, that was in the OP. Reading fail. :facepalm:

I suppose you may be able to find an older, halfway decent road bike for that money as long as you're not that picky. Just don't buy a mountain bike, they tend to be heavier, they are geared lower, and the knobby tires create a lot of rolling resistance.

I'm really not picky. Like I said, I understand you get what you pay for. Hell, it could be pretty pink - I could just tell all of the onlookers who stare at me awkwardly that I support breast cancer.

All I am looking for is something that actually rides and fits me and my junior well.

I wouldn't completely rule out mtb's if you find a smokin deal on one. It'll be heavier, but you may like the riding position more than a road bike and depending on the commute you may appreciate the lower gears. I know there have been many times I wished for something lower on my road bike, but I don't ever think I've needed more on the high end. And you can always swap the knobbies out for street tires.

And don't hate on pink. There's a special standing for it in racing culture. I had a pink Crux frame I built up for cyclocross for a while. There's no shame in that game.

http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.future...wsport_600.jpg

Tell me that's not dead sexy.

Edit, for preemptive clarification, not me. Just same frame I was talking about (minus the world champ badging, natch).

Trust me. I like da' boobs.

Heh, I'm just the opposite. I've been riding a hybrid for the last 12 years and I rarely use the low gears. OTOH, I got sick of other people on road bikes blowing by me on descents because I'm spun out. I bought my new bike specifically because it had more high end.

Pardon my ignorance -- but what's wrong with just a standard mountain bike?

Other than weight. Seems like they'd be more in my price range.