Originally Posted by gregf83

I suspect either of those bikes, without modifications, would add an extra 10 min each way to my commute or 20 min/day.

Why are you so concerned with the price of bikes? Who cares what people want to spend their money on? I've had cheap bikes and nice bikes. Cheap bikes are more likely to rust, don't shift as well, more likely to have chatter or some other issues with brakes. The list goes on. Of course, if you don't have an alternative, you can make do but if you're going to be on a bike 10-15 hrs/wk why not ride something you can enjoy?