Here's my two cents: I'm fairly new to road biking, but have been mountain biking for about 5 years. I've had two TREK mountain bikes, and both have been very reliable. Re. the expense: my first mountain bike was entry level, and it wasn't long before I felt the need for a better bike, and bought a better TREK. My road bike is a step above entry level, but adequate for me as a recreational rider. Neither bike was over $1,000, but I don't ever plan to be competitive. I know the prices of bikes, pedals, helmets, and all the other "stuff" you need seem outrageous. If you are thinking of doing any races at all, you should expect to pay at least $1500 to get a race-worthy bike. Believe me, it's much cheaper to get what you need to begin with than to have to upgrade! Other than that, I'm sure everyone here will tell you to make sure the bike fits well. (Try as many models as you can.) Good luck!