road bike for price range of $500-$600

[Eden]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585799

Have a look, don't be put off by the Wal-Mart in the url

hmmmmm 32lbs (this is almost as heavy as my big old hybrid!) and low end components (7speed) - I think for the price you can do much better, for instance http://www.fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=279&subcat=
It has slightly higher end componentry, its about 7lbs lighter - you would definitely notice that amount of mass and the msrp is $550 - which generally means you can purchase it for less...
I would also peruse your lbs's for deals on '06 models.

I also don't like that the wally bike is fake carbon..... what the heck is carbon wrapped aluminum anyway. Seems like something just to trick people to me....