Originally Posted by no1mad

That will vary from person to person. Some here have literally pulled a frame out of a dumpster and used parts that they had already had on hand to build up an essentially free bike. Others will spend over a grand to get what they want.

The question is really how much can you comfortably afford if you're now considering buying another bike- based soley on the advice of complete strangers? Try riding that work commute and figure out if a) you can actually hack it and b) are willing/able to make what you got work for now.