So what is appropriate to spend?

[bcipam]

For my first road bike I spent $100 (this was in the 70's). Several bikes down the road, I am now having a custom bike built for me and most likely it will run around $4500 (frame, fork, components - I already have wheels but that would add another $800). I have been riding for some 40 years and don't think that is too much to spend at this time of the life and given my passion.

If you are looking for a good entry level road bike (not a sport or comfort bike but something you can actually race with) you need to spend around $1000 - 1500. I think Components are a real issue and I would never recommend anything less than Shimano 105 but Ultegra is better (and equivalent Campy and Sram). I question spending more than $3000 on a production bike when you can get a custom bike in either steel, carbon or ti for less than $5000. But some people like the fancy look of Trek's or Specializes race bikes.

For a mountain bike you get alot for around $1500. For alittle more ($2000) you get full XT and Fox shocks and forks and the bike for last a long time and perform well. You can buy a $3500+ bike but then it's just to cut weight. Personally I see no performance difference in XT and XTR. Same goes with Ultegra and Dura-Ace on a road bike.

[malkin]

Consider the rest of your budget too.
Most would agree that leaving your kids starving at home with you out on a new carbon ride is bad form.

[Crankin]

Good idea, Malkin. No starving kids.
I think my first road bike cost around $1,000. It was aluminum and had 105 components, which did not work that well. I*never* was able to use the big ring. A year and half later I bought a carbon Trek 5200 with Ultegra for 2500. I eventually had to put a Dura Ace front derailleur on that bike, as it had shifting problems, too.
I now ride a Kuota Kebel that cost around 5K. It's very light (14.8 lbs) and has Ultegra. I switched out the expensive carbon bar for an aluminum short/shallow drop bar that is narrow enough for me, and added the short reach brifters a year after I got it. Am I a racer? No, not by any stretch. I like the bike and I could afford it. But I think you can get a really nice road bike for around 2500, and have most of what anyone would want.

[ny biker]

Good idea, Malkin. No starving kids.
I think my first road bike cost around $1,000. It was aluminum and had 105 components, which did not work that well. I*never* was able to use the big ring. A year and half later I bought a carbon Trek 5200 with Ultegra for 2500. I eventually had to put a Dura Ace front derailleur on that bike, as it had shifting problems, too.
I now ride a Kuota Kebel that cost around 5K. It's very light (14.8 lbs) and has Ultegra. I switched out the expensive carbon bar for an aluminum short/shallow drop bar that is narrow enough for me, and added the short reach brifters a year after I got it. Am I a racer? No, not by any stretch. I like the bike and I could afford it. But I think you can get a really nice road bike for around 2500, and have most of what anyone would want.

Whereas, my first/only road bike is aluminum with mostly 105 components (front derailleur was Tiagra), and with one exception I'm happy with it. The exception was that Tiagra derailleur, which always had problems. Eventually it broke while being adjusted for the umpteenth time, and was replaced with an Ultegra.

I'm sure if I upgraded to all-Ultegra or better I'd see a difference, but I've ridden many happy miles with what I've got.

I think I spent about $1300 for my road bike back in 2002. My goal was to get something that would be good for long rides, centuries and such, but I did not need anything for racing.

I wouldn't mind getting a carbon bike with better components, but it's just not in my budget for the foreseeable future.

[Cataboo]

I have an all ultegra bike and an all 105 bike.

i don't notice any difference in the shifting.

[WindingRoad]

I was the newbie at one point who bought the Sora bike first. I didn't know I would get so 'hooked' and quickly wore that drive train completely out. It never was smooth shifting but did do the trick and got me into cycling so it's hard to say it was a bad decision. If I had to do over I would have prolly saved my $600 I spent on the Sora bike and applied it to the $2000 bike I bought later. I went ahead an bought a carbon bike at that point which ran my price up considerably but actually came out with decent components. Mine was a 105 and Ultegra mix. I supposed if you buy a nicer bike first you could always sell it if you decide you just don't like cycling all that well? Good luck.

[maillotpois]

Consider the rest of your budget too.
Most would agree that leaving your kids starving at home with you out on a new carbon ride is bad form.

Snort!