So, I have a few questions and need some advice. I am currently new to cycling (unless you count that WalMart mountain bike I bought and rode in my early 20's) and am trying to find a good bike for me now in my early 30's.

I am currently looking at biking as just another fun way to exercise now and then (I'm doing running as my main form of exercise currently since it's a lot cheaper), but I really do enjoy biking and would like to throw in a few bike rides each week, maybe 10 mile rides or so.

In addition, I am 5'4", short-waisted, long-legged, and small-handed so I've been thinking the whole WSD line would work great for me from what I've read and researched so far.

I've currently been looking at Trek's line as I like the way they look and they seem the most affordable with good quality. I could get a cheap-o $100 bike at WalMart again, like I did in my 20's, but I got tired of always being left behind on bike rides with my friends because my equipment was so heavy/crummy/just flat-out lame that I just couldn't keep up.

So, here's my question. Should I spring for a $600 Trek 1000 WSD (which I understand doesn't have the greatest components, but is surely way better than a $100 WalMart bike) and possibly upgrade my components over time as I can afford (I'm currently in college and would be buying my bike with the leftovers of my loan money), or should I put off buying it for a semester or two and saving up for the $1,000 Trek 1500 WSD that already has the better components? I don't plan to become some sort of major bike racer, but I do enjoy going fast so I thought a decent Trek bike would be worth it to me as opposed to the WalMart bike.

In addition, I'd be riding it mostly on bike paths (I live in Tulsa, OK right across from Riverside Park - THE biking park in Tulsa) so I thought a road bike would be best for me. I'm looking for a bike I can keep for years and just upgrade components on, at least until I graduate and start making the big bucks anyway, lol.

So do you think I should I go for the Trek 1000 WSD or save up for the 1500 WSD? Are there any other good cheap bikes for what I want to use it for?

Also, I was quoted a price of $670 on a Trek 1000 WSD from a LBS here in town, is that considered a normal price considering the Trek website doesn't even list the bike that high? Maybe the quote was for the new 2006 line? I thought it was getting to be off season and so the bike should be somewhat cheaper this time of year? When is the best time to buy a new bike for cheap?

Thank you for reading this over, I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations you'd like to give me.

Thanks!

PartimeBiker in OK