I'm very happy that Cigtech is doing this review and log.

I am one of the people that hasn't dived in and purchased a $700 bicycle yet because it's so hard to justify. I think one of the most interesting points for me out of this thread has been that Cig's bike cost about $170 and when he upgrades it to Sora equipment his cost will be the about the same as other $300 bikes. That encourages me to buy that $500 or $700 bike as being "worth it". But then again, when I was considering $1000 commuting bikes plus the equipment and maintenance required for upkeep and adjustments by the LBS, it wasn't any cheaper than driving my car (your conditions may vary).

So, I've had to determine my motivation for riding. It's simply for my health and to allow my legs to take a break from running. I'd also like to ride with my daughter at some point. Therefore, a fixed-gear sounds suitable. But, I can't figure out why the prices are so high on a fixed-gear. And not to take this thread off topic, but does the Denali look like suitable candidate for fixed-gear conversion? I'm not knowledgeable enough about the differences between mountain bike drive trains and road bike drive trains.

You can use your disposable income, buy a quality model bike and have your LBS check and maintain it frequently - or - you can get cheaper or used bike that you plan to maintain yourself. That doesn't necessary mean you can't afford more bike. For me, it's just a personal preference and I haven't decided how far into the bike I want to go.

I think I'm getting more out of Cigtech's experience because he's giving a blow by blow narrative of what's happening. If I'm going to get into the maintenance of the bike, then a cheap but new bike might be the best thing to try. After all, I won't be out too much money if I break something or screw it up. But, if I had a $1000 bike, I'd be more comfortable bringing it in to the LBS. And the cost of the bike would justify that expense.