gd starter

Question
thanks Mike for the fast reply and extra Qs
I will be doing a very short commute to work every day (5d/wk), appx 6 miles round trip.  I live very close to work and want to help save gas costs.  I am an adult.  Used bikes are fine.  I would like as good as components/frame as the fairly measly (I know good bikes are many thousands) $500 will get me.  I do not have much orientation or ideas, but I have some knowledge on bikes back in the mid 80's when I read up quite a bit (I got "out of it" right when index shifting first appeared... the Shimano 600 was the hot ticket!)

Tim
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi, I am looking for a good road/racing bike as a starter.  My budget would be $500 (maybe 6) for the bike.  Can you give me some suggestions as to good starter bike of this range?   

thanks
Tim
-----Answer-----
Hello TIM,

Do you have any idea's about how far and often you will ride in a week (time or in kilometers).
This is important to give you the right information. Why, you'll ask me, because it's depending how good the bikecomponents should be.
A bike which is used every day for example 50 km's, or 50 km's in a week (especially in the weekends)!
The most other component is the frameset, will you have a aluminum/carbon or a steel bike.
And can it be a new or used bike.
Do you have a idea from the Internet or did you have also orientated in a local bikeshop.
Second, are you a adult or are you still growing?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Mike

Answer
Hello Tim,

It is difficult to say which bike is good for you. Do you want a race of commuterbike, or maybe a mountainbike.
A racebike is nice for longer distances, also it doesn't fit with your officeclothes or jeans because it's a sportbike. I should prefer a hybrid/commutingmodel from Cannondale or Specialized/Trek.
I don't know how the price's are in the US/UK, only for the Netherlands. Often it is what bid and want.
Maybe you can find a nice bike by E-bay, but beware of the wear of bikecomponents (you have some experience with bike's). Better is to find you a nice local bikestore, the can offer a 3 month warranty if you buy there your bike.
Have some time, look around and try the bike's.
Also on a mountainbike you can put smaller tyres, or slicks while you can still maintain control and speed on this bike.

Ask me further if you need anything.

Mike