Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a cheap bike right now (under $250) since my previous bike was destroyed by some ahole when I parked it at school this past Monday.
This (but the 2011 model): (Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Road Bikes - Dawes Lightning Sport AL)
I rode it for a year and 2 months.

Now, I want to get a new bike and I don't want to spend too much on it. I don't care much about whether the parts are not good or whatever (just if the parts fall off after a couple weeks of riding it); I just want a bike that I can use to commute from school or go to other places.

Also, the routes that I usually take have a lot of downhills (I live in San Francisco), so is it safe to ride downhill with a fixie, or would it be better to just walk down? I've never ridden a fixie so I don't know how it works.

The bike that I'm thinking of getting is this: Critical Cycles Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed Bikes with Pista Handlebars | With Flip-Flop
I prefer this bike because of the handlebars (I don't like the BMX ones because of the feel)