A little quick background on myself...
I have recently decided to take up commuting to and from work (15km each way, yes i'm canadian). My wife and I have been both getting back into shape and i've developed a hate for my treadmill. This combined with the ridiculous way people drive in my city has led to my decision to commute via cycle. I have not ridden a bicycle since high school and that was a $150 dollar walmart special kinda bike. I have three weeks of work and, after I take my little ones and wife on vacation to the coast, I will be purchasing my bike. I know there must be more out there that are in the same situation as me and I thought id offer newbie advice to those that can understand newbie advice. This is what ive learnt...

1. Plan your budget
- Know how much you can spend. Also know how much you want to divide up into a bike and how much for gear. If you have 1k you can buy a 600 dollar bike and load yourself with 400 in gear or you can buy a 900 dollar bike and some make due with some basic essentials until you can upgrade.

2. Get your route
- Plan your route and drive it... a couple times even. Do it in the morning on a day off and in the other direction during the time you are usually off work. Take note of the terrain and the distance. Consider the possible weather and its effects along your route during certain times of the year.

3. Consider your destination
- Do you need to carry a fair amount of stuff to work or do you have an available locker or storage there? Will you need to carry this stuff in a backpack or do you need panniers.

4. Buy at a local bike shop (LBS)
- Take yourself and your information to as many of the LBS near you as you can. Chat with the salesmen and get a feel for each shop. Pick a shop or two you find yourself the most comfortable with. Share your situation with the salesmen and pick the one that listens. Stick to a salesmen that helps you... a lot of these guys work on commission and you should show loyalty to them if they helped you well and you were happy with the service.

5. Purchase day - 1... ride everything with an open mind.
- Im paranoid of making a mistake. (the lbs ive settled on will let me buy a bike, ride it to work for a week and if its not working out bring it back in for an exchange... this was the deciding factor) Because of my paranoia, even though I think I want a cyclocross to commute I will go into my lbs with an open mind. I will test ride a hybrid (norco indie 1 for those that care)... a 29er (no clue which)... a cyclocross (kona jake)... and maybe something else that my guy will suggest that I havnt thought of. After ive decided on a style I will ride at least 3 of that style of bike... probably one on each side of the original price point.

6. Sleep on it.
- Go home, take in all the info and sleep on your decision. Return the next day (to the same salesmen please if they work on commission) and buy your bike.

This is my approach and I hope, if anyone else is in a similar situation, it helps them too. If any vets want to back up what I'm id appreciate it. If any vets want to correct me, I'd appreciate that too and will probably learn something.

Cheers