Originally Posted by
SlimRider
Hey there Bgruber1985!
My advice to you, with your current budget would be one of two options:
1) Look for a
chromoly steel-framed road bike on CL and gradually upgrade your components
- OR -
2) Order a bike online through Bikesdirect.com.
This is the bike that I would suggest for you, if 61cm is your size:
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_xi_steel.htm
The Motobecane Mirage Road Bike ~ $300
* Chromoly steel is a very tough and durable type of steel. It's has a longer fatigue life than aluminum and will give you decades of service, if kept dry. It's ride quality is absolutely incomparable. The extraordinarily good thing about chromoly steel, is that when your components wear out, you can rest assured that your frame will be in the same condition after your replacement components have worn out, as well. Steel lasts for decades! Nobody can say that truthfully, about any other frame material, other than titanium.
- Slim
The Mirage is a great bang-for the buck option IF you are somewhat familiar and comfortable on bicycles in general. The DT shifters are supremely simple (less maintenance an cost than brifters) but may not suit you if you have balance issues on a bicycle.
Also, I'd go with wider, more comfortable 32mm tires (such as Panaracer Pasela TG) - the 25's that come on the bike would likely be too skinny for your size and intended use. Eyeballing the detailed photos, it looks like there is plenty of room for 32's on that frame.
On to other topics....
While I generally agree with others here that a pure flat bar bicycle is somewhat limited for commutes longer than 7 or 8 miles, bear in mind that any flat bar can easily be swapped for a much more versatile bar that would be compatible with the flat bar controls. Examples include "trekking" bars, bar-ends, or ergonomic mountain bike bars (Titec Jones, On One Mary, etc). Just know that you are not limited to two choices (flat bar or drop bar).
In a similar vein, there are options for conventional "drop bar" designs if you find them unsuited for your preferences. Options include "mustache bars", "compact drops" or "dirt drops". All of these provide less of a drop and more of a lateral flare.
The best advice I can offer is to go to several shops and test ride different styles and models to see what suits you. Try to find a shop that specializes in "transportation" cycling rather than racing - they will have a more balanced approach to finding a good style for you.
You don't have to buy a bicycle from a shop just because you test ride some bikes and want to learn more. You are not obligated. I personally try to throw at least some business to shops that help me out (buying parts, tubes, food, etc) to keep my service karma in tact, but that's just me.
Take your time if you can. Rushing into decisions typically ends in compromise and higher cost in the end.
Good luck!