OK, this question got me in a little trouble with people. Most people agreed that if you want a good bike, don’t go for the cheapest, but get what you need.

I think my best rule of thumb is if you want a decent commuter bike, get it at a local bike shop that you know and trust. Some good brands are Trek, Giant, Specialized and Electra.

That being said, the type of bike you want to buy, and how much you want to spend, also depends on how much you’ll need the bike and what you’ll need it for. I know there are many people who get a beater bike for winter biking and have a nicer bike for the warm months. That beater bike can be pretty cheap, as there are many available at Kiwanis and Recycle Ann Arbor.

Some comments from others:

For me, an old Schwinn three speed works great for a one to five mile
commute. I like having a chainguard to keep road dirt off the
trousers. An old bike can cost very little, but you need to be ready to
throw some money at it. A used bike fixed up for commuting will run
$100 or so, $200 at worst.

–Mark Chase, goloco.org

Other sites to check out

• Reviews of Commuter Bikes