Originally Posted by bikemig

Can you do your own work? If you can (or have access to a bike collective where you can do your work), then the cheapest is either (a) a rigid MTB or (b) an older 10 speed like that Peugeot in your first pic. Old Peugeots are terrific bikes but they have their oddities and I strongly recommend a vintage MTB. It will be much easier to work with and it already comes up flat bars that you can easily swap for something with more curve if that is your thing. You should be able to find a good one for a reasonable price well within your budget.

This MB3 is overpriced likely overpriced at $325 (but prices tend to be higher in big cities and vintage MTB prices have been trending up). It is also likely too small but it is an example of what I am talking about.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...078060175.html

This one is also too small but it too is a fine old MTB:

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...084482935.html

This is the right size and expensive as heck at $600 but it would make a great Riv type bike as it is a Schwinn cimmaron:

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...088909395.html