Buying road bike

[RoadRaven]

Ah, well, I don't like to give advice on this type of question, and if you do a little search around the site you'll find loads of recommendations.

Tulip has hit the proverbial nail on the head though - get a bike that fits - thats the essential component.

My first race bike was a Scorpio RA300
I now race on an EMC2 FemetapePro, and a Giant TCR2

I think the best advice I can give you is to buy a mid-range bike. An entry-level is not enough and you will find it wanting. Until you are sure this is what you want to do, you also don't want to spend loads.

If money was no object, I would suggest you found a Cervelo in your frame size...
But frame size is the key. Think about about the type of racing you want to do.
If it is criteriums, you will want something responsive
If you race on loads of hills, then you will want a light frame
If you do time trials, then the weight of your bike is not so much a factor as how aero you can make it.

Now, my Giant has a semi-aero frame but it is not a time-trial bike per se. But it fits me well so we have added components to make it ideal for me... a bladed seat post, bull horns, aero bars and bar-end shifters, aero wheels...

Lots of women here ride Specialised, but I don't like them.
Lots of people have Treks (probably a Lance influence) but again, I don't like them.

Having said that - Specialised and Trek both have good bikes...

Hmmm, what am I trying to say?
Try riding different types of bikes - different brands, different styles, different specs.
Focus on a frame that fits you well - everything else can be added to/changed.
Read what people have said here, reviews in magazines, talk to your LBSs, and to members in your racing club.
Check out what the pros choose to ride (or more importantly, what they DONT ride)

And have fun doing it.