I just purchased the new Trek 7.2 FX. Everyone on BF says that it is low end and it won't last very long, and that it would be wise up double my budget (which was $600). However, I talked to my LBS and they said that it is a fantastic bike and it should last a long time. Since you are only going to commute 8-22 miles, the 7.2 seems perfect. It's almost half of you maximum budget, and should suite you perfectly. Personally, I love it because it is very light weight, very fast, shift super smooth, handles very well, and looks great. The money left over could be spent on a nice light set (I recommend the blackburn voyager 2.0 combo - only $36), racks, and whatever else you might need.