Originally Posted by
treadtread
I cannot recommend on personal experience, but for that kind of money, I would probably look at a Jamis Aurora. Its really a touring bike, so if there is a reason why it is unsuitable as a commuter, more experienced, please comment.
+1. My commuter is a Jamis (an Allegro 2x trail bike - different than the new Allegro in that it has a front fork and disc brakes). Jamis tends to be a very good value IMO. The Aurora is a nice bike - steel damps the road buzz, it has drop bars, comes with fenders and a rack (probably worth $100) - nice to have on a commuter.
A lot of what makes a good commuter is the distance you need to travel, road quality, fitness level, preferred riding position, what weather conditions you will ride in, how much you need to carry, etc. More info makes for better recommendations.