I'm in a market for a n00b 18-21 speed cyclocross (preferably) or a road bike. Purpose for the bike would be to ride around with my kid, ride to work and back once a week (14miles each way) and just ride around town.
the reason i want cyclocross bike is wide softer tires. not a big fan of skinny road bike ones. would actually prefer straight bars or a bull horn ones and regular pedals that do not require those retarded-ass shoes.
could someone recommend anything? budget is around $500
found a couple here (bottom of the page)
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/cross_bikes.htm