Give it a break Duane. $1000 is not a reasonable starting point for a commuter bike for many people. You are way out of line in this thread. Important for commuting is safety, reliability and utility. You can find a bike for under $1000 that is a fine ride, reliable and has the utility needed for a commuter. And what you really need depends on how far you need to commute and how often.

You can buy a Dura-Ace Kestrel through Walmart.com, does that count?

I would say yes it counts because it was sold by Walmart, and to make it count even more have it shipped to Walmart and you pick it up there!

I think it depends somewhat on the skills of the buyer. Example: I'm currently looking for a $150, used-up, alum framed bike as a project. Over the span of a few months, and as I upgrade my carbon bike, I'll put those removed parts (Ultegra brakes, derailleur and cassette) on the project bike. Then I'll pull apart, go through and re-install the bottom bracket. Cables will be replaced. The headset will be disassembled, inspected and re-assembled with new parts as necessary. Tires and rims will be upgraded.

So yes - when I'm done and in THIS case, a $150 bike will have become a useful and reliable commuter bike, and probably for a TOTAL honest cost of $400 - $600, not including labor, since I'll enjoy the time and will thus give myself a 100% discount. :-).

Not all buyers have a work shop or tools, and will want something that works well and for a long time, straight out of the box. Before he yelled at me to get off his lawn, "Rekmeyata" suggested $1600 as a starting point for such a bike:

(". . . so technically if a person want's[sic] to ride a bike for pleasure they need to look at a $1,600 or so touring bike. . . " - Rekmeyata, 11/9/18)

I disagreed. For a new bike, I think $1,000 WILL get you the quality you need for a long and happy commute. Maybe a bit less. Surly would be my starting point. This is their specialty.

If, like me, you're lucky enough to have some experience and a place to work on your bikes . . . you'll probably never HAVE to spend that much on a commuter bike. And, if you want to feel good about yourself, offer to help a neighbor whose brakes aren't operating efficiently, or whose chain is making noise, etc. It's a great feeling. Thanks.

Bottom line: For someone without mechanical skills, but wanting to purchase a bicycle on which they intend to commute >10 miles each way for years, I cannot think of a brand or model that would suit those daily needs UNLESS they're willing to spend around $1,000 or more.

A $300 wally bike will be pleasurable for a twice-a-year ride around the lake on a bike path. Used daily as a commuter bike, any such bike will break or careen out of adjustment - probably within a week.

It's intuitive. Any tool that can stand up to daily, hard use will have a minimum price point. Look at the Surly bikes as proof. These commuter / touring bikes are smooth, bulletproof and attractive . . . they'll last for years with minimal service . . . . and they start at around $1,000.

'nuff said. DB

Would that be for the bike alone or with accessories included?

He obviously means for the bike alone. I guess we've been doing it all wrong.

Yeah, I posted that without having read more than the first few posts of the thread when it first started. Hovever, now that I just now finished reading the entire thread...

Feel free to start another thread if you need input on any particular models you may find or even post pics should you buy something, but I'm afraid that this thread got derailed too much to remain topical.

/thread