Bike Help Desperately Needed!

[skanji]

Guys,

I just switched jobs and am looking for a decent bike in the $300 range.

Here's what I am looking for
-a bike that will allow me to ride about 12km a day
-comfortable, light
-to drive on gravel (side of the road)
-mainly flat road

I called sportchek, to see what they have, and here's the stuff they have:
Nakamura Avalnche - $249 (http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml?id=prod2470033&fromSpecificCategory=true)
Nakamura Krypton - $299 (http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml?id=prod2851591)

What do you guys think of these bikes? It is aluminum, so that's good in terms of it being light.

Any other thoughts? Should I wait for the spring?

[rhainman]

Drive to Toronto on October 15 and go to the fall bike sale. Best deals you'll see all year...

http://www.telsec.net/bicycleshow/html_pages/fallshow.html

Don't buy either of the bikes you linked to above. They will both be very heavy and have non-functional suspension that just adds 10 or more pounds to the bike weight. For that price, you should probably just get a bike without suspension (front or rear) and use the money to get the best compnents you can (probably Shimano Alivio or lower).

[skanji]

Is there an on-line guide to provide what are basics to look for in buying bikes?

Incidently, I won't be able to head down to terrana' next week.

Thanks in advance!