Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,642
Likes: 1,107
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
It's not about any brand or model. Specs changed every year. So what might have been great one year, might be average another year.
Savvy buyers focus on condition, frame material and components. Brand and model is secondary.
The two natural choices for what you describe are touring bikes and rigid frame mtbs. Your budget is too low for a nice vintage touring bike. Around here, good ones, ready to ride, go for $400. Higher end ones even more. That leaves a rigid frame MTB. Google is your friend, been discussed hundreds if not thousands of times.
Get knowledgeable, get lucky, or get taken. Quick and dirty falls into the get taken category.
Last edited by wrk101; 12-04-12 at 10:41 AM.