I have three bikes, two steel and one carbon. If I had to choose in your price range, I would get
the Jamis Bosa Nova steel. It rides really smooth, has three rings for the steepest hills, disc brakes
and fenders for rain. It all depends on what you want to do, and you need to try a bunch. If you live
where you have a good bike fitter, I would have him fit you before you got a bike. That's the best $ I
have ever spent.