Originally Posted by
SamChevre
Here's my recommendation, as someone who has been gradually switching from bus commuting to bike commuting for a year now.
Don't spend more than $250 on a bike; ideally, don't spend even that much. Save the rest of your budget for fixing up the bike and buying a second bike. It's very difficult to research bikes well unless you've been riding awhile.
Upright is fine; I prefer it.
Here's the basic accessories you'll need:
Good helmet--$50
Pump, patch kit, levers--$50
Multi-tool--$15
Lock--$35
Lights--at least $60 (for this
Romisen from Shining Beam, with accessories, which is what I use, plus a rear blinky.
Things that you saved a couple hundred so you could improve after a month of riding.
Seat.
Handlebars/stem set-up.
Tires.
Shifters.
If you have a reliable local shop, I'd get something like
this Lotus, and spend another $250 right up front on tires, cables, and a new stem/bar/control setup--and save the old bars and controls so you can easily switch back.
This bike in your general area is very like my well-liked commuter which was stolen last week.
If I didn't have bikes already, and had time to be patient, I'd agree more on price...but if you don't have that luxury, I'd just go on Craigslist and be willing to spend a little more to get me going. You'll find that you save so much money that it's justified. The Lotus linked above is a high end model and likely a good bike. It might be a little limiting on tire clearance...the Legend was more a racing model. I think I see rack mounyts, which i;d want as an every day bike.
I also agree with the above poster on more than one bike. If you're really going to commute every day, it helps to have a back up bike...I also like having a dedicated winter beater. That's something to worry about another day, and you can be more cheap/picky on the second since you won't need it.
The advice on saving money for upgrades to tires and saddles is right on...and those things matter as much, or more, than the bike and parts you're using. Good tires and a comfy saddle make a WORLD of difference. The truth is that no matter what advice we give, you're largely going to have to figure out what works for you by making mistakes and with experience. In a lot of ways it makes sense to start cheap to figure out what you want. The nice thing about buying used Japanese steel is that you'll get what you paid back out of it when it's time to change.