Most important thing is that the bike fits well, beyond that brand and model are far less important.

Fit is the #1 concern. Take your time, go to several bike shops and talk to the sales and fit people. Find a shop you're comfortable with that will work with you to find a bike that fits you properly and suits your riding style and position. If a shop tries to sell you a bike without asking you a lot of questions first, walk out and go someplace else.

Your price range is high enough that you'll have lots of choices, including components. I don't know how young and strong you are (or how old with weak knees), but talk with someone knowledgeable about the right gearing for you and the type of riding you plan to do. If you're not racing, you probably don't need a 53 or even a 52 chainring, so you could consider a compact double or even a triple or compact triple. After fit, appropriate gearing is next most important. And after that, just go for pretty or cool or whatever turns you on.

I began riding in late May '06 and bought my first road bike then. I've had some excellent advice from many friends about frames, gearing, etc.

One thing I've learned is that if you plan to keep your bike for a long time, you ought to make sure the frame is the best you can get. The Trek line (so far as I know) is the only bike that comes with a lifetime frame warranty. Cannondale has a better than average frame for the price range, in general. So you get a better frame with the same components for about the same money as with other brands. I got a bike I love for 1300 bucks.

Once you decide on those things, then get a great fit and spend the rest of your money on a cycling computer and clothes. There is endless debate on what components to get. Much of this is going to be your personal preference and you'll learn by trial and error what you want. Ask lots of questions. There are incredible resources in this club.

Also, know that many bike shops give a discount to NYCC members. So your joining BEFORE you buy might save you some big bucks. My membership has paid for itself scores of times.

Have fun!
~Claudette

"1) Consider a steel frame as an option. With a modicum of pre-emptive rust proofing (""Frame Saver""), it should last you many years. Carbon and aluminium are essentially disposable after a crash of any significance. Titanium is pricey and yields few benefits over steel except to save you the rust proofing. Sid's can custom order Independent Fabrications, Waterford (butted) or Gunnar ($800+ for frame).

2) Nail down whether you're going to get a double or triple chainring. Expensive to change after the fact.

3) Have fun.

[I concur with others about the importance of a good fit but I'm dubious about paying $400 for a guru.]"

I would look for a well spec'd bike from one of the major manufacturers. They each have advantages/disadvantages but are almost all very well spec'd. The specialized Tarmac, Giant TCR, and Orbeas come to mind. for that price range you can get an ultegra-equipped bike with an all carbon or AL-Carbon mix frame.

the most important thing, however, is a good fitting! make sure you spend the $$ on a good fitter above all else.

"$3000 is a lot of money to spend on a bike. My advice: take your ""old"" Specialized to Master Bike for a tune up and spend a season riding it to see whether you are really into cycling. If you love cycling, then spend the cash. A year of riding will teach you about the things that you need/want from a bike and the things that you can save money on because they aren't really important to you. A bike from the 90s really isn't that old, anyway. I have a 1982 Trek that I ride approximately 50 miles a week on. Yes, I also have an expensive custom bike, but I didn't drop the cash on that bike until I'd logged several thousand miles on a less-expensive bike."

"John, what don't you like about your bike? You haven't really described it, or explained why you want to replace it. What problem are you trying to solve? What do you envision a new bike will do that your old one won't?

There may be good reasons to buy a new bike. But if you're just looking for something fancier or lighter, don't expect it to make much difference beyond the initial ""new bike placebo effect"" period.

Those of us who have been riding many years develop certain preferences as to frame geometry, gearing, wheels, etc. Personally, I'm more concerned with reliability and maintainability than light weight and fashion. That rules out things like carbon seat posts and bars, and low spoke count wheels.

We need more information on what you're priorities are before we can make recommendations.

""Chainwheel"""

Check out Glenn at Piermont bikes in Piermont New York(closed on wed.)Hook yourself up with a $1700 all uluminum Cannondale frame with ultegra parts.I'm getting one for my brother in March and then I'm getting one for my cousin in July both for their birthdays...errrr for the rest of their lives.Rich

"I disagree with David's assessment of the Tarmac as ""tough on the back."" I bought a Tarmac in spring of '06. It is a superb racing bike, and I have yet to find something about it that I don't like. And no, I haven't had any back pain.

You have to consider what kind of riding you primarily do, and what, if any, riding you'd like to do in the next few years. Racing? Diner stops? Touring? Around town?

IMHO, compact frames are great, but they are flawed in that, in smaller sizes, carrying two full-sized water bottles is difficult if not impossible. Also many compact frames make it hard to carry a full-sized frame pump. Not a big deal, but something to consider."