Hello, I'm a Newbie

[rij73]

Welcome and good luck. That is a great budget for a first road bike. I got my first road bike last year and paid $1700. It was a used frame, though. I took lots of chances and got lucky! But, you should try out lots of bikes. There is a Trek Madone at around $2000. You should try both women's and men's bikes. Just because you're a woman doesn't necessarily mean that a woman's bike is the best fit. For me, a small men's bike with a sloping top tube is what works best.

Edited to add: Where in Bergen County? I'm a jersey girl... I've lived in Union City, Cedar Grove, and Montclair.