Minimum spend for a decent commuting bike?

[Tynan]

my LBS say £300 is the watershed for decent quality and every pound above that is well spent, they talked me up to a £550 Canondale Adventure that was night and day better than anything I'd ever ridden before (lots of £300 mtbs and hybreds), so much more everything, faster, lighter, nicer

£900 on the Fratello and wheels upgraded since then and unsuprisingly it's the best bike I've ever had, you do get what you pay for

I honestly didn't know you could buy a new bike for much less than £300, I clearly go to the wrong shops, I've seen bikes in ToysRus but I don;t go near them

 

[girv73]

Seems most people think over £300 to be sure, but you might get away with less if you're either lucky or prepared to take very good care of your cheap steed. Fair enough?