A bike shop with good people should be able to help you find what you need. You should be able to get a good bike to get you to work and back for that price. Beware......a lot of bike guys started out just wanting a decent bike for exercise/commuting/ect. The next thing you know you're hanging out in shops,speaking the lingo and wanting all kinds of cool,fun stuff.
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Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......