r - random

You don't really need a new bike for general use; dig around your local classifieds for an old ten-speed road bike or '90s rigid mountain bike (replace knobby tires with slicks for road use).
A lot of them were ~$1500 new and can be had for a tenth of that.

Are you going to use it for everyday transportation? I've been using only bike for a few months and it's not very much maintenance. The import parts are:

1. Get new treads for winter so you don't die (only applicable if your snow drifts are over 6 inches)

2. grease your chain once a week during winter or once a month during summer

3. don't buy a stolen bike (see >>18420)

4. don't get shocks for city biking because they make you ride slower

5. run red lights :)

>>18428
>Get new treads for winter so you don't die (only applicable if your snow drifts are over 6 inches)

Bruh it's the ice under the snow what'll get ya, that's why winter tires have metal studs.