What do you want this bike to do? The bianchi volpe is steel in this price range, optimized for touring and cyclocross but fine for group riding as well. You could also look into used aluminum (lighter) and steel. While it might be hard to buy a bike on ebay if you aren't sure of the fit, sometimes local bike clubs advertise used bikes in their newsletters so you can try them out locally (or craigs list), and the best for a newbie may be bike shops that sell used bikes so you can even get fit. Another is too look for new old stock, 2005s and 2006s shops are trying to move. Yes, trek1000 is a great light entry bike, I've seen several women start on those if they fit you.