Originally Posted by rt_hat
I was in your position a few years ago - I couldn't wait to get outside and biking right away.
Going for the quick fix, I bought a Diamondback Outlook 04. Half a year later I wished I saved up a little more for a better bike.
Its not that bad of a commuter bike and if you're still set on one, I'd recommend getting a better saddle - I found that the stock one was too big and mushy. For the geometry make sure you test ride that bike and a few others, compared to other bikes, I found that the Outlook is more laid back which makes you ride in a more upright position. The fork on mine was way too stiff and I guess like most other bikes in this category, the fork is more for appearance and extra weight.
I found it the other way, too bouncy...but I did ride the hell out of it and went from 290lbs (plus 30lbs inthe panniers) down to 240lbs during the year I rode it....all 8500 miles of it....so the bike was pretty heavily loaded.