Originally Posted by
Photodoug
I'm looking for a bike to handle short runs around town and leave my gas hog in the garage. Fenders, rack/bags, chain guard, and enough gears to handle the hills. Craigslist is virtually void of anything suitable and the closest thing I have seen new are Schwinns. Almost every thing on the market is either speedy road bicycles or BSOs. Am I looking in the wrong places? Any suggestions on finding a decent "work" bike?
Your requirement for chain guard + gears means IGH, which means you're very unlikely to find cheap options on CL, and new you'll have to go to an actual bike shop, so you're not going to get cheap.
Your best option is probably
bikesdirect for $450. Hopefully a 3-speed is enough gearing for you. Or
$550 for 8-speed. I'd consider that price well beyond errand/beater, but a good value if you want a nice bike of that style. (I like that greenish-gray color available on the 8-speed)