Post here for help picking out a bicycle and autism.

>I want a cheap road bike
Aluminium frame & Carbon fork.
Most bikes are much the same
Current gen Claris, Sora, Tiagra or 105 are all good
Giant Content 1 ($650), or Vitus Razor (£399.99) are examples of the entry level.
Things worth looking for: threaded bottom bracket, clearance to fit 28 or 32mm tyres
Things worth paying more for: in-series hollowtech crank. In-series brakes.
Discs & rim brakes are both good.

>I want a hybrid
Buy something with a rigid fork.
Ideally, buy something with a chromoly, or carbon fork.
Buy 8 or 9 speed, not 7.
It's around ~$500 for something good.

Post your craigslist, and height if you want recs on used bikes. In most cities in the US, you can get something decent for around ~$200.

If you're looking at a used bike, check the blades of the fork aren't bent back from the line of the head tube (crash). Check the frame for hairline cracks. Check the hubs, headset & crank bearings, all spin smoothly with no play. Check the wheels spin straight and have evenly tensioned spokes. Check the chainring teeth aren't badly worn. Check the cables aren't cracked. Check it brakes and shifts well. Check the derailer cage doesn't move much when you wiggle it. Moderate surface rust is ok.
Most things aside from frame damage are fixeable and haggling points.

Old thread:
>>1351002