Originally Posted by
roker
Ugh
That's nearly heartbreaking to read.
I really would like to learn more about bikes and I thought this would be the best way to go.
Well, what does 700-1000 buy me? (in other words, what brands/models should I be looking at?)
Shouldn't that be great news? It means you can get a really nice bike. If you want to learn more about bikes as well, buy some tools and a book about bicycle mechanics. You're in Brooklyn, I know they have bike shops. Go out to some shops and see what they have. Spend your money supporting a local business rather than throwing it at some anonymous shipping warehouse. Build a relationship with the people at the shop. That way, when your bike starts making a noise, you can take it over there and let them diagnose and fix the problem, teaching you about it in the process, rather than coming here and asking people on the internet "What's creaking on my bike?"