Quote Originally Posted by Zen View Post
My $25 dollar Mariposa is the best bike under 1K
+1: if you buy used you will get more bike for the money, so to speak. It's like with cars - for the price of a new Honda you can buy a used Jaguar

BUT, please please please - test ride as many bikes as you can, and make sure that whatever you decide to buy really fits you well.
Good luck!