Your right dude, his situation is very much different than mine. Santaria, I didn't mean to be condescending or offer up "unwarranted" information. I was just replying to the situation you were describing. You seem like a nice family oriented guy. I guess you could say that I'm in the you-can-do-better-and-for-cheaper-than-new camp. I commute on my CX bike and I have been quite happy with it.

I will agree, you don't want to ride a cheap bike that will break if you put it to the test I do to my bike...and that does come at a price. I still think if you are patient, and look around, you can probably save some money that's all.

Whatever you come up with, enjoy the ride brother...