The more I look into getting a commuter the more realize how much there is to know.
All the drive train components, the brake system, axles, the rims and on and on and on.

How does one determine the point of diminsioning returns for the money spent? I thought for $1000 I could get a bike that do the trick but now it seems that's the very bottom and $1500 is probably closer to get what will give me the best bang for the buck. Or, am I over thinking it and just get a bike and tune it, fixed it and adjust it throughout the year.
I plan on putting close to 4000 miles per year.