Originally Posted by Stope
So, my best bet would be pawn shop or see if a LBS has something used. This summer with my job i could save some money and buy a nicer bike, but i don't have the money now, and i don't want to spend an enormous amount incase i stop riding for one of many reasons.
Take your time bro; there's no reason to rush into buying a large pile of junk that's just going to crumble under even the most subdued of riding conditions.
Start putting one to two dollars (more if you can spare it) in a very hard to get to spot every day and, after a couple of months, you'll have amassed a couple of hundred extra dollars which will at least get you on an entry level bike built by a pro at your LBS.
DO NOT buy a Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Toys 'R' Us, etc bike; you'll regret it big time.