What to buy Commuting Bicycle about $400

[Nhan Nguyen]

Hey guys,
I wanna get a Hybrid/Urban bike with a limited budget about $400 (including accessories like rack, fenders, lock and helmet). I'm a fresh fish in cycling so all of your help is much appreciated. I will be travelling for about 25k daily.
After doing some online research and got an awful headache with all the nitty-gritty details, I've come up with a few models:
Bauer Swift - Mens hybrid bike $220 + 20 shipping

Featuring a Lightweight frame, 21 Speed Shimano Gears and Alloy crown front suspension fork, The Bauer swift is comfortable and a pleasure to ride on bike paths and city streets alike.
Frame Mens comfort style frame
Fork Front Suspension - 60mm Travel
Seat Comfort Saddle
Gear Lever Shimano Grip Shifters
Gears Shimano 21 Speed
Crankset Cotterless 3 piece
Freewheel Shimano 7 speed
Chain KMC
Brake Alloy "V" Brake
Spoke Stainless Steel Black
Rim Alloy double wall Rims
The Bauer Comfort plus $300 + $20 shipping
is a Hybrid bike designed for maximum comfort and ease of use. Assisted by the Smooth shimano 21 speed gears, Suspension fork, Lightweight and rust-free alloy components, and comfort seat with suspension seatpost

Frame Lightweight Hydro formed alloy with replaceable tip
Front Suspension Metro 186 alloy crown suspension
Shift Lever Shimano EF-51 21 speed shifters
Derailleur Front Shimano
Derailleur Rear Shimano Altus rear derailleur
Brakes Alloy V-Brakes
Handlebar / Stem alloy handle bar and adjustable stem
Pedals Platform Pedals
Rims Swift 2500 double wall alloy rim
Tyres 700c hybrid tread
Saddle Bauer Ultra comfort seat with suspension seat post
Hybrid Bicycle 700c CX-100 Men"s Grey/Black 15" Frame By XDS $250

Frame: Hi-Ten 700C
Frame size:
15"
FORK: Hi-Ten
SEAT: Comfort Saddle
GEAR LEVER: Shimano RS-35 Shifters
DERAILUER: Shimano TZ-30
CRANKSET: Cotterless 3 piece TRIPLE
FREEWHEE: Shimano 6spd
CHAIN: KMC
BRAKE: ALLOY " V" -Brake
SPOKE: Stainless Steel Black
RIM: City 700C*38C
Hybrid Bicycle 700c CX300 Men's Matt Silver/Black 15 inch By Progear $330

Frame Aluminum Hybrid 700C
Frame Size 15"
Fork Zoom Alloy
Handle Bar 7005 Alloy
Head Stem Kalloy A Head Adjustable
Bottom Bracket Sealed Tech
Seat Pillar Kalloy
Gear Shifter Shimano Rapid fire 21 Speed
F. Derailleur Shimano C-050
R. Derailleur Altus
Crank Set Shimano alloy Triple 28/38/48T
Freewheel Shimano 7 Speed
Chain KMC
Brake Alloy 'V'
Hub Alloy Silver
Rim Silver Double Wall
Tyre Innova 700Cx35C
Colour Silver/Black
Gross Weight: 16kg

Bauer SUBURBAN disc 2011 $420

Frame Lightweight 6061 alloy tubing with smooth welding
Front Fork Intergrated alloy with taper
Shift Lever EF-51 24 Speed shifters
Derailleur Front Shimano
Derailleur Rear Shimano Acera rear derailleur
Brakes Tektro Novella Mechanical disc brakes - front and rear. For increased stopping power
Brake Levers Tektro alloy Levers
Pedals MTB Platform Pedals
Rims X-plorer double wall alloy rim
Spokes Nipples Stainless
Tyres Kenda Cross Country tread
Saddle WTB MTB Saddle
Thanks for reading up to here. I'd like a reasonably inexpensive bike with good quality. If you guys think the +200 dollars models are good enough (they all have 5 year warranty), I'd go for it. Otherwise, 100 dollars more is not a big issue.
I think I'd go to the store to try out and find out the right frame size and stuffs before buying online. I think buying online is a lot cheaper.
Thanks a lot for helping me getting my first bike.

 

[kdelong]

I really don't know much about the brands that you have listed. If you are considering buying online, try out Bikes Direct:

http://bikesdirect.com/products/hybrid_bikes.htm

These guys have been around for awhile and most people who purchase bikes from them like them. If you google them you will find that they had a few problems around 2008 but they seem to have cleared them up and now they have an A+ rating with the BBB.:http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/bicycle-dealers/bikesdirectcom-in-dallas-tx-90124596#reasonrating

I think that their bikes will be a bit better quality than those that you have listed. Just make sure that you use the fit chart that Bikes Direct incudes with the description of the bikes so that you get close to the right size.