Well, I don't know how much this will help, but I like my KHS Flite 500. I don't hear too much about KHS bikes from other people on this site, but I have found it to be wonderful. I bought my first road bike last year and didn't want to spend a lot of money until I found out if I really liked riding (which I've found out I do!) I think I paid about $700 (if I remember right) for my Flite 500 last year. I like it because it has a good solid steel frame, carbon fork!, some very good components, and a triple chain ring up front (I'm a decent rider, but the hills of WI would have killed me on my 500 mile/5day ride without that handy little ring!) It does come with toe clips, but clipless pedals are easily added, as is a better bike seat (and those are easy to find deals on.) Oh yeah, one thing is that you can't shift from the drops, which seems ok to me-I'm not racing or anything. It was also one of Bicycle Magazine's best buys last year. Well, if nothing else check out the website and maybe introduce yourself to a new brand...good luck!