Hello,

I was wondering if I could get some recommendations for a bike. I am looking for a bike that would cost me no more than $800 either new or used (and preferably in the $400 - $600 range), which I would be using primarily for commuting on roads but also some light trails (i.e., packed or bumpy forest trails and some gravel trails) and occasionally on rougher off-road ground (but not as rough as mountain biking). To give an idea of how frequently I ride, I would need the bike to ride on roads every day for about an hour and then on trails for a couple hours (sometimes several hours) on the weekends.
The natural answer would be to get a hybrid and just get my local bike shop to recommend me a bike, but I actually find the more upright position of a hybrid to be more uncomfortable than the position of a road bike. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a road bike would not be tough enough to withstand bumpy trails for longer periods of riding.
After doing some research, apparently a cyclocross bike would provide the durability of a hybrid as well as the cycling position of a road bike, but most cyclocrosses seem to be way too expensive for me (unless there is something I've overlooked). Also, from what I've heard, it seems that cyclocrosses would not be able to have a bike rack installed on them, and I would strongly prefer a bike that has that capability so I can ride with panniers.

Sorry for the long-winded post... but any suggestions or recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated since my local bike shop doesn't seem to have any answers.

A used Surly CrossCheck would fit your bill. New they are out of your price range.