Originally Posted by desertdork

As for the used bikes you linked, I won't suggest you buy a bike that you can't see in person...unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're getting. If you're patient, something may eventually pop up on c-list. Never seems to be the case for me, though.

The problem with buying new is that relatively few shops keep touring bikes in stock. I see that Midtown Bike Co is a KHS dealer; you might ask about the KHS TR-101 or CX100. Also, Jamis shows the Hub City Bike in Jackson as a dealer; the Jamis Aurora is in your budget, is perfectly suitable for your needs, and is popular enough to possibly be in stock. As for REI/Novara, the Verita looks promising and should be a good bit livelier to ride than the Safari. The 520 is over your budget but worth checking out.

You could also do your commuting, etc, with a better fitting hybrid. Hybrids get a fair bit of floor space in most shops, and they're a bit less expensive.

Whatever you get, you'll want something that fits nicely. Trying to make an ill-fitting bike work because you found it secondhand at a good price doesn't always play out well. Buying new comes at a price, but it's sometimes the only way to get what you really want. Also, buying from a local dealer has advantages in regards to service and warranty issues.