I suggest used because you get the most bang for your $. However, since you’re getting re-acquainted with cycling, I’d avoid the snake pit that is Craigslist or E-bay. I suggest you visit
Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe
6792 University Avenue
(at 68th St)
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 582-4024
Tell Dave the proprietor what kind of riding you want to do. Make sure you mention that you want something that fits fatter tires and has braze on (threads) for fenders and racks. You may decide not to put any of this on but having them will make the bike much more useful. Stay away from anything with suspension. Unless you’re looking high end because you’re a serious single track rider, bicycle suspension is more of dead weight that is waiting to break than anything else. A set of fat tires that are inflated enough only to prevent pinch flats is all the suspension you’ll need on mixed surfaces. You’ll be much, much happier whenever you decide to “mash it” on the road.
If Dave put you on a Mountain bike, spend a few extra dollars to swap out the knobby mountain tires for smooth tires. Again, you’ll suffer little in easy trail riding, but gain a lot in supple ride and responsiveness on the road.
It might take you more than one trip, as Dave has tons of bike stuff at his house and in storage, but I will not be surprised that you walk out with a quality bike in the $300.00 range.
Don’t worry too much about steel vs aluminum at this point (Don’t waste money on carbon yet). Yes aluminum fatigues more catastrophically, and unlike steel must be thrown away once bent. But guess what most bicycle components that you will use are made of? aluminum. You’re no better off having your aluminum handle bar snap during a ride than the fork snap. You’ll likely do neither with the riding you describe. In any event there are plenty of 20 year old aluminum race bikes being ridden hard. As for ride quality, I doubt you’ll be able to tell much difference without getting seriously immersed in cycling.
Use this bike to figure out your optimal riding position(I suggest reading this online article http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm), what kind of handle bars, saddle is the most comfortable for you. Find out more about different types of bikes, then if you get the “bug” you’re in a better position to decide what you really want.
I do recommend you go and read about Rivendell’s cycling philosophy at rivbike.com. If you decide to get a new all around bike, you can’t do much better in terms of function, asthetics, and thoughtful design than an Rivendell production, but a fully assembled bike will cost you ~$2100 USD and you have to trust the sizing philosophy as there are no San Diego dealers (I think there is at least one in LA area)
For right around a grand assembled you might want to consider the Surly Crosscheck http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck.html. Surly’s are not that well known but very much appreciated by the bike shop mechanic crowd. It is not as pretty as a Riv but will also do everything you ask. Plus just about any bike shop, including REI can order you one.
Another mid priced bike I’d like to suggest is a Kogsell PR (http://kogswell.com/sitePRODUCTS.php). The frame set is about $150 more than a Surly but it comes with fenders, seatpost, and headset, so it is not that far off. You should be able to have a local bike shop build one up for you under $1500. The PR differs from the Riv and Surly in that it is designed to ride very steady with a moderate to heavy front load (think front basket with bags of grocery) at low speeds. The other two tend to be twitchy with either front or rear loads.
I wish you good luck and would love to hear about whatever you end up getting.
