The cheapest, but best made roadbike I can find new is [url=http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/road/elite-road/caad8/caad8-2300-compact-crankset]this Cannondale[/url] I'm not sure what your looking for, check out a bike shop by you to see what they've got

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Emo Joe89 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] xGHOST270x [url=http://www.besportier.com/joshherder/mongoose-deception-mountain-bike.jpg]Mongoose Deception[/url] I'm in the same position as you. I ride to school every day, as driving my massive truck in those tony parking garages isn't enjoyable at all. My commute is maybe a 1/2 mile, so I ride my longboard to school of good days. Until some -blam!- stole it a few weeks ago, I had the bike in the picture for about a year. It's an excellent bike for the money. $220 gets you an aluminum frame, disk brakes, decent front suspension, and big knobby 29" tires. I definitely recommend the bike for the kind of conditions you describe, as I endured the same on my daily routes to lecture and lab. Soon as I get enough funds together I'm going to buy the bike again. First time I only paid $50 for the bike brand new.[/quote]That's another concern I have... the bike getting stolen. I don't want to blow a butt-ton of money on a new bike and then it gets swiped... was yours not locked up properly, or did you leave it out overnight or something? And the bike you're describing does sound good... much better than the $60 Mongoose I've got right now! :P[/quote] I had my bike locked up with a cable lock to the railing outside my apt. Some douchenozzle came up with bolt-cutters, snipped the lock, and took off with it. I reported it stolen to the police, but i doubt it will do any good. [b]Moral of the story: Get a U-Lock[/b]. Cable lock should only be used as a secondary lock to make sure no one takes off with the wheels while leaving the frame there. If you can't find a U-Lock, go get some heavy 3/8 inch chain from Lowes, cut it to about 6-8 feet, then get a good thick padlock. As far as the bike, I loved it. It was an excellent bike, especially considering it came from Walmart. As with any bike you get from Wal-Mart, as soon as you get it home, check all the bolts and nuts to make sure they're tight, and check all cable and brakes yourself. Don't think the mechanic does everything correct 100% of the time: he doesn't. Also, you may wish to replace the seat with something more comfy. But, that goes for any bike. [Edited on 11.30.2012 1:21 PM PST]

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] xGHOST270x [url=http://www.besportier.com/joshherder/mongoose-deception-mountain-bike.jpg]Mongoose Deception[/url] I'm in the same position as you. I ride to school every day, as driving my massive truck in those tony parking garages isn't enjoyable at all. My commute is maybe a 1/2 mile, so I ride my longboard to school of good days. Until some -blam!- stole it a few weeks ago, I had the bike in the picture for about a year. It's an excellent bike for the money. $220 gets you an aluminum frame, disk brakes, decent front suspension, and big knobby 29" tires. I definitely recommend the bike for the kind of conditions you describe, as I endured the same on my daily routes to lecture and lab. Soon as I get enough funds together I'm going to buy the bike again. First time I only paid $50 for the bike brand new.[/quote]If your in the USA, get a Mongoose pro if any. Mongoose was bought out by a walmart brand. Same with Schwinn. Buy a Cannondale or Trek, they are usually the most reliable and have the best built frames. A good place to search for a used bike is [url=http://www.pinkbike.com]Pinkbike[/url]

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] xGHOST270x [url=http://www.besportier.com/joshherder/mongoose-deception-mountain-bike.jpg]Mongoose Deception[/url] I'm in the same position as you. I ride to school every day, as driving my massive truck in those tony parking garages isn't enjoyable at all. My commute is maybe a 1/2 mile, so I ride my longboard to school of good days. Until some -blam!- stole it a few weeks ago, I had the bike in the picture for about a year. It's an excellent bike for the money. $220 gets you an aluminum frame, disk brakes, decent front suspension, and big knobby 29" tires. I definitely recommend the bike for the kind of conditions you describe, as I endured the same on my daily routes to lecture and lab. Soon as I get enough funds together I'm going to buy the bike again. First time I only paid $50 for the bike brand new.[/quote]That's another concern I have... the bike getting stolen. I don't want to blow a butt-ton of money on a new bike and then it gets swiped... was yours not locked up properly, or did you leave it out overnight or something? And the bike you're describing does sound good... much better than the $60 Mongoose I've got right now! :P

I built up a fixed gear track bike for about $800. The pros of a fixed gear are that you don't have to worry about the rear hub, the derailleur, the brakes. Just lube up the chain and go.

Because your going on gravel I'd say get a cycle cross bike or mountain bike. Cannondale, Trek, Felt, specialized are all well rounded bike brands. Don't get new get a used bike of Craigslist.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] theHurtfulTurkey Dump some WD-40 on your gears and take your bike to a shop to get the gears replaced and you should be fine. Aside from that, just check Craigslist for bikes; I wouldn't buy a new one.[/quote]WD-40 is the worst you can do. It drys out the chain and free hub. I know this because I'm a bike mechanic

[url=http://www.besportier.com/joshherder/mongoose-deception-mountain-bike.jpg]Mongoose Deception[/url] I'm in the same position as you. I ride to school every day, as driving my massive truck in those tony parking garages isn't enjoyable at all. My commute is maybe a 1/2 mile, so I ride my longboard to school of good days. Until some -blam!- stole it a few weeks ago, I had the bike in the picture for about a year. It's an excellent bike for the money. $220 gets you an aluminum frame, disk brakes, decent front suspension, and big knobby 29" tires. I definitely recommend the bike for the kind of conditions you describe, as I endured the same on my daily routes to lecture and lab. Soon as I get enough funds together I'm going to buy the bike again. First time I only paid $50 for the bike brand new. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] theHurtfulTurkey Dump some [b]WD-40[/b] on your gears and take your bike to a shop to get the gears replaced and you should be fine. Aside from that, just check Craigslist for bikes; I wouldn't buy a new one.[/quote] This is a bad idea. Don't use WD-40 on a bike evar. I use motorcycle degreaser and lube, those will perform much better. [Edited on 11.30.2012 1:13 PM PST]

[url=http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_534591_-1___202383]Before the Internet, Nashbar was THE place to get good deals[/url]. But now, it's still not a bad place to start and get some research done.

Dump some WD-40 on your gears and take your bike to a shop to get the gears replaced and you should be fine. Aside from that, just check Craigslist for bikes; I wouldn't buy a new one.