Aircraftblues

Ok so I'm looking for a commuter bike that is on the cheaper side but would be worth upgrading. I plan on having rear rack and disk brakes. Like I said I'm just looking for something to get going again, around $600 US dollars.
I had been patiently saving while riding a mongoose hotshot until a car decided that the bike needed to be run over and I needed to go to the hospital.
Thanks in advance

BobbyG

In Arlington, Texas there were a few bike shops including:
https://www.bicyclesinc.com/
And
https://www.rayjaysbikes.com/home
And
Hilltop Bicycle Center
130 N Main St, Mansfield, TX 76063
(817) 225-6275

These three seem like they may have low-cost entry new bikes in your price range...and also pre-owned, reconditioned bikes in your range.
The benefit of buying a used bike from a local bike shop is that it you can get a better bike for less money and it will be rideable from the get-go.

Korina

If you're willing to go with perfectly good rim brakes, Jamis' Coda series can get you a nice steel bike in a range of prices. If I didn't already have an entire fleet... herd? flock? murmuration?

Aircraftblues

If I mainly ride for commuting and excersise are disks brakes a big benefit, or will rim brakes due just as well??

pdlamb

Rim brakes work pretty well for almost all commuting situations.

I've found only three exceptions to that general statement. First, after a heavy rain or dew and I should have cut the grass before I wheeled the bike through it -- brake before you have to, once, to squeeze the water off the rims. Second, riding through deep puddles or streams, as in 2" deep or more. Same as above. Third, you're riding in a torrential downpour. Nobody's explained to my satisfaction why water that'll coat the rim of a wheel won't also coat much smaller disks.

Plus rim brakes are old, ubiquitous, and cheap.

Darth Lefty 

There are a bunch of reasons to have disk brakes. None of them is entirely convincing on its own. Lots of them (not all) are more applicable to offroad bikes or foul weather or heavy duty. Not all of the benefits can be accrued just by switching the brakes alone. There are some cons.

Me, I'm never going to buy another bike with a front derailleur or without hydraulic disc brakes, unless I can immediately swap. That's still hard to do at $600, though, and there have been few road going bikes sold that way so far. One that is built that way, though outside your price range, is the Surly Bridge Club, the mint green version.

I am sorry to hear that you were hurt and I am glad you are ok to ride again.

Aircraftblues

Thanks Darth Lefty won't give up riding till the doctor says so. Have been looking around and wondering what the opinions are about the Marin Fairfax 1??

Darth Lefty 

Pretty typical for the price, no glaring faults. Nice that it has a freehub and not a freewheel.

GMoser85

Trek Dual sport, Kona Dew, Are good flat bar bikes around your range. I would assume you are looking for a flat bar hybrid bike. Buy from a local shop that gives fitting with the bike.

squirtdad

for arlinton texas or close could go used for now and save up the buck......maybe go to a gravel bike in future? (I commute on a drop bar) Generally speaking when you get a bike at say a $600 pricepoint new, the frame is not that special, IMHO worth spending more than thinking buying and then upgrading which is always more expensive;

not sure op height.so here are few the at might work

...big Jamis for $350 https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...143755072.html

miyata....swap out mtb tires for smoother faster ones $325 https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bi...140814821.html

giant mtb swap out tires $340 https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bi...139028763.html

gary fischer $160 https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...129533172.html

ralieigh $590 disc 1x9 https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bi...142506549.html

couple of bianch think the project 1 at $375 https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bi...137505599.html

trek $525 bit over priced but worth reading the sales pitch https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bi...143222624.html

this is just for fun Salsa Titanium $2000 https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bi...145020454.html

Aircraftblues

Wow thanks for all the great suggestions. Gotta say people on this forum are really here to help. Which is good for someone who recently started riding again. I will go through the used bikes listed and see what fits.

Mad Honk 

I am going to send that frame to the ISO thread. The War Department was here when the Masi arrived this morning, and she is riled up again. If bikes were ladies shoes I could probably keep more of them; but it looks like I am at N+23. Smiles, MH

Korina

Did you find anything?

Aircraftblues

Haven't found anything yet but think I will go with Jamis Coda when they are back in stock in my area.

Korina

Cool. Make sure and give us a review once you've ridden it. And of course pics, lots of pics.

257 roberts

This is my Jamis Coda

RubeRad

Me too. (And note, Darth Lefty helped me find a used Krampus (which had hydraulic disc brakes, and no front derailleur)

Eds0123

The only maybe convincing reason for me to go with disc brake would be if I ever decide to upgrade to CF wheels, Seem logical not to use rim brakes on expensive Carbon rims, there are many many new bikes are being sold with rim brakes, so yes no problem with rim brakes,