DU bicyclists: what kind of bike should I buy?

I live in a historic section of Orlando, less than a mile from the center of downtown. Many of our streets are brick and more than a bit bumpy, and they are often congested. I'm trying to find a bike for under $300 that allows me to sit upright (easier to see traffic that way, and easier on my joints), isn't too heavy and can handle the brick streets without shaking me up too much. I'll be using it for basic transportation around town (grocery shopping, trips to the library, meeting friends at local cafes) not long treks in the country. So far I've found this:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11210825&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

Your thoughts/ ideas?

Thanks!

but if you're going to be riding on a lot of cobblestone and brick I would think you probably want something more like a trail bike or a mountain bike. Something designed to go over rocks easily. That terrain is going to be pretty rough on something designed for road or town riding.

I just don't want to be hunched over, especially because you can't go anywhere very quickly down here. I grew up using a ten speed and I know that nothing like that would work in this environment, but I don't know much about mountain bikes. Are there hybrids of some sort out there?

No need for carbon anything.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08Expedition

should be cheaper than listed at the store

Looks like a good bike for the money, but you should definitely go sit on one, and see if it's a good fit. If it's not comfortable over distances, you won't ride it, so it's worth spending more if it gets you a bike that's a good fit.

But style-wise, a comfort bike would be a good choice for your uses, a cruiser (though they're trendy and thus overpriced, or maybe that's a west coast thing) or a hybrid could also work well. Make sure to budget some money for a very good lock, a decent set of lights, and maybe a rack and paniers (saddlebags) since you'll be using your bike to shop.

Make sure to check out craigslist, I find crazy deals on high end used bikes sometimes- I got the kid's Dad an almost unused Marin Muirwoods, which is a $450 bike, for $30.

which really surprised me. LOTS of $700 + Cannondale bikes for sale (step step family owns Cannondale, but they still are out of my reach). I found this butt ugly alternative on Costco.com: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11286950&search=Cadillac%20Bikes&Mo=15&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=Cadillac%20Bikes&Ntt=Cadillac%20Bikes&No=13&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

might work? :shrug:

I'm an average sized woman, 5'3.5" tall. Most bikes are too big for me, both in height (ability to touch the ground with toes when stopped) and in length (comfortable stetch to reach handlebars while seated). I got a smaller sized one made by Bianci and am happy with it.
So while I'm unable to help you regarding the type of bike to get, I strongly urge you to get one that fits you.

I've seen bikes from 15"-22" out there, and I have no idea what the "standard size" is for someone my height. :shrug:

If you can try it out, see how comfortable it feels. You don't want to have to stretch too much to reach the handles while sitting. You also should be able to touch the ground with the top of your toes when seated.
Good luck! I love biking and do it often, as long as it's over 50 degrees and not raining. I think you'll really get into it too.

They'll know your needs and the local conditions better than any stranger on the Internet ever possibly could.

I doubt you'll be able to find one for under $300 though. You get what you pay for. Going cheap just means you'll pay a lot more for maintenance in the long run, and it won't be as good for your body.

My dad and my brother bike around Orlando all the time, but I don't know what kind of bikes they have. Just make sure you drink enough, my dad ended up getting hospitalized a few months back because he stayed out longer than he should have in the heat.

and yes, the heat will get you if you aren't careful. I plan to do most of my biking either early or late in the day to avoid ending up like your father. Heatstroke can get you here if you are just sitting still!

Thankfully it was night shift so the sun was down. :)