Don't know if this is the best place to put this, but here it goes. I want to commute to work, and am currently doing so on a friend's Specialized Hardrock a few times a week, but I need to get a bike of my own. I really like the flat bar hybrids like the Specialized Sirrus Sport ($550ish), but I don't have a lot of disposable income right now for a bike. There are a lot of older 10 speed bikes in my area and I have access to some older bike frames (Schwinn Varsity, a Flying Dutchman, a VolksCycle, etc) that are in complete disrepair but are straight. I am mechanical by nature and have no problem learning to do my own work on my bike. I live on a very steep hill and have to about kill myself in the Hardrock's lowest gear to get home (being new, that will probably get easier). So, would I be better off building a bike with some reasonable components (a 21 - 30 speed drive train) with one of the frames I can get for free, or would I be better off just buying new? The cheaper the better.

Thanks in advance.

s1xty7