Mountain Bike Flux
What's a good used brand/model of road/touring bike for around $500?
I like bikes and have had several high-end mountain bikes--but I know next to nothing about road bikes. I'm looking for some tips on a reasonably nice road bike. Something used. Old and ugly is fine, so long as it rides nice and hopefully has some character...I'm looking for something that I'll be happy with for years to come, that I can commute with, do long day-trips with a pack, but also reasonably light and fast when I just want to zip around the city. Any suggestions? Bonus points for those that are extra ugly but awesome to ride (the kind your average thief would ignore).
I currently ride a Schwinn Homegrown and before that road a Turner Flux.
Same brands & models you would find in a bicycle shop - but used...Raleigh, Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc. You will be VERY fortunate to find a used "touring" road bike. Just that one extra word tossed in implies the ability for the bike to carry extra weight & cruise all day long on an open road or even take a few packed earth trails from time to time. Most have heavy steel frames but overcome that obstacle with low gears for climbing hills.
Once a cyclist gets their hands on a "touring" road bike - they seldom let go. I wouldn't sell mine and I've only had it a short while. Links below.
A look at what is currently available on eBay
 Madison Flux Mens MTB Sport Saddle Brown US $30.61 
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 FOX RACING FLUX MTB HELMET GREY WHITE SMALL-MEDIUM US $87.00
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 2012 Fox Racing Flux MTB Helmet Matte Black S - M NEW US $87.50
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 FOX RACING 2011 FLUX MTB BIKE HELMET WHITE/BLACK - L/XL US $99.95
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 Fox Racing Flux Mountain Bike Helmet Grey/White, S/M US $99.95
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 FOX RACING WOMENS MTB MOUNTAIN BIKE FLUX HELMET XS/S US $74.99
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 FOX RACING WOMENS MTB MOUNTAIN BIKE FLUX HELMET L/XL US $74.99
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 FOX RACING 2011 FLUX WOMEN'S MTB HELMET SEA SPRAY - S/M US $99.95
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 Fox Racing Flux Ladies Mountain Bike Helmet Sea S/M US $108.78
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 Fox Racing Flux MTB Helmet White Black S/M US $108.78
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 Fox Racing Flux Mountain Bike Helmet Black/Green, S/M US $99.95
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 Fox Racing Flux Mountain Bike Helmet White/Black, S/M US $99.95
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 Fox Racing Flux Woman's Mountain Bike Helmet Pink, S/M US $99.95
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 Fox Racing Flux Mountain Bike Helmet White, L/XL US $99.95
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 FOX RACING 2011 FLUX MTB BIKE HELMET BLACK/GREEN - S/M US $99.95
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