[herr_oberst]

Ask the bike shop if they'll work with you on the flat bar conversion. Since the shifting is already set up for indexed, you could get some nice push/push levers (used) from a mountain bike to go with the flat bar, (the derailleurs would be fine) then you'd need to replace the brake levers and go ahead and get all fresh cables. Point is, you don't need new stuff for an older bike, ask if they will dig around in the takeoff pile and hook you up a little.

I'd make sure that good personal fit is the key to this purchase or you won't ride. Any decent bike is reliable as long as you occasionally look to see what's about to fall off, you might have to learn to fix a flat on the road.

Indexed shifting is the only way to go.

If any one part of your body is causing great grief, be it the taint, wrists, knees, back, etc, then your bike is not fitting. If you don't know what your are looking for, let the bike shop know.

But really, enjoy the ride. It's a lot of fun to commute to work. And the money saved in gas will astonish you.