Quote Originally Posted by Koronin View Post
Go to several different LBS to test ride several bikes and see which one you like the feel of best. Do not worry about the bike being WSD (women specific). Both my road bikes are unisex bikes.
Whereas my first bike was unisex and it never fit right, and my current WSD road bike is a much better fit. It is different for each of us.

With your budget, you could probably get a lower-end carbon bike. Personally I found an aluminum frame with a carbon fork was okay, and I would have stayed with it if it had fit me right. But carbon is more comfortable on rough pavement. I have no idea how much steel bikes cost but there are some here who will say that they are the only bikes you should consider.

Two other things to think about:

Get recommendations for good bike shops in your area. You want a shop where the fitter knows what s/he is doing and where you know they will happily help you with any issues after you but the bike (like adjustments to the fit which may be required after you've ridden the bike for a while).

Also, make sure the bike has decent components. If they're Shimano, I would not get anything less than 105 components. I once had a Tiagra front derailleur and it never shifted right. For bikes that come with SRAM components, I have the Rival group which I'm happy with -- I don't know about the less expensive groups.