Hello BikeForums community, my name is Stephen and I am new here!

Just a bit of background:
-My biking experience is limited to my old (unfortunately now stolen :-\) Raleigh Mojave 2.0 mountain bike.
-I would like to replace my lost friend with something nicer and NYC street friendly.
-I love Kraftwerk's Tour de France album and am looking forward to cruising around listening to it!

My main purpose for registering is to ask you guys for some advice: I need a new bicycle.

What I am looking for in a bicycle is that it is comfortable, relatively lightweight, good on NYC roads, and is an all around solid purchase. And if possible, all that for under $600 (a suffocating budget, my friends tell me!).

I've been looking at hybrids, and they seem to be what I am looking for in a bicycle, I think.

Specifically I have my eyes on the Raleigh Cadent FT1, and I was wondering if you lot thought it a good bicycle? I see it gets generally good reviews, so I might just purchase this one soon, but maybe someone can recommend similar which I can compare the Cadent FT1 against? I do want to spend a lot of time with my next bicycle, so I might as well make sure it is the best thing I can buy, right?! Basically anything that is similar to the Cadent FT1 in price and in function, or if you have any recommendation for an amateur NYC rider, I am all ears!

Thank you,
Stephen

You can get a Hybrid - within your budget - at all major manufacturers stores. Sooooo, try them all - Specialized, Trek, Giant, FUJI, etc.

One of them will jump out at you, as the best.

id say look at a specialized crosstrail, as they are in your price range and have tires (specialized's bouroughs) that would handle good and rough roads alike.

The only problem with them Burroughs - is they are kinda flat prone ----- and I'd be looking at stuff from the Trek FX, Specialized Sirrus, and all the others have bikes along those lines.

You will likely be better with 32mm wide/wider tires for rough roads - anything that will come with 32 or wider tires, will accept 32s as replacements. You will also want something that will accept fenders, even if you don't put them on right away - as they keep you and the bike much cleaner.

edit: I almost forget - you can usually ask the dealer to swap to any new tires of your choice, while new, and only pay the difference in the cost of the new ones. You would be very happy with Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, in 32 or 35 widths, as alternative tires to what comes OEM. In my case, putting 35 and 40 Supremes on my Crosstrail (45 OEM) gave me much improved handling, excellent flat protection, easier rolling, and enough room to accept Plane Bike Hardcore Hybrid Fenders, as a perfect fit.