Get shimano 105 minimum, or equivelant SRAM.

I'm a big fan of my Cannondale CAAD 10 5. My only gripe is the geometry feels a little aggressive.. but I'm coming from a hybrid bike.
I also really liked the Felt with the "Z" frame. Less aggressive, more comfortable. Only comes in 61cm and smaller (i needed 63+)

The most important thing is to find a bike you find comfortable, and get a professional basic fit (About $100)

It's pretty much the best alum frame you can buy. I weigh 240 and the bike is rock solid.

For people in our weight range, it might not be a bad idea to start saving for stronger wheels too. I have a set of strong wheels as a backup for when I bend the ones that came with it.
Though since I got them properly tensioned, they have stayed very true.

I went with a Trek Alpha 1.2. Sora Shifters, just below the 105 group. I did it incase I crashed (first road bike) it wouldn't be that expensive to fix...lol..well...if I did it all over 105 would be my baseline then work on up.

Your best bet is go to a bike shop, get fitted and try ALL of the bikes in your range. I like my Trek since its not too aggressive so still "roadable: and able to look around rather than bent over too far. Its all about your "needs". Mine were met, with the exception of shifters/derailleur's etc...

Don't rush into it, budget for accessories (flat repair kits, helmet, lights, clothes, clips, shoes, saddle bag, etc...)

My LBS was a Trek dealer so my options were quite limited. If I did it again, I would have found a dealer with a wider selection, then again, I am happy with my bike. I ride it work daily (15 miles total) and do 40 mile rides on the weekend. I love it.

Good luck in your decision. This forum is a good place to for reading up on bikes:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/41-Road-Cycling

It is indeed addicting. To be honest frame geometry is pretty constant. You will have more relaxed set up ie: you sit more upright, and more aggressive where you are more in an aero position. You need to think about how you ride now and what you might like to do in the future. For us normal big guys the bike the tour de France rides are just nuts and at $10k plus are even nuttier. Carbon frames for anyone over 150 just is not safe. So aluminum or steel. I second the people who like 105 and SRAM Rival components, very solid, built to last. Wheels are a big thing as well, I ride at 240 lbs on 36 spoke Vuelta Corsa HD's (Nashbar.com) I ride a custom Gunnar steel frame built by waterford cycles here in the US as I am also 6'7" and just could not find a frame that fit, and before i get yapped at by steel haters the thing weighs in at 18 lbs. That being said I was lucky to be able to swap out components, from the old frame to the new. In your range take a look at Tomasso (Giantnerd.com) prices are very attractive a good range of sizes available, I bought one for my skinny little nothing of a wife and she loves it. Just remember race geometry not so comfortable, sport geometry more comfortable.

if i was gonna be in the 1500 range for a roadbike id get something like this
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/secteur/secteurcompapexcompact

or you might get on a FUJI in CF in that price

Giant, Trek, Specialized, Cervelo, Felt, Cannondale, Orbea all make great aluminum road frames. Are carbon frames great? Yes. Needed? No, especially as your first. Find a shop where the folks aren't pushy or try a different sales guy at that shop. It's a lot like buying a car so just think of the process like that and you'll go in with the right mindset. Sometimes you'll find sales guys willing to help and that listen. Sometimes you get the guys that push every single amenity whether needed or not.

When buying a road bike their is a few other things to take into account. the road bikes are split amongst their geometry's. Now I am not talking manufactures geometry I am talking class geometry's. One : aggressive ride positioning , this is the traditional flat back riding position. This is the riding position mostly associated with the Specialized Tarmac ,Cannondale CAAD series. The next are the bikes designed for comfort , the geometry is more relaxed , gentler on the shoulders the Specialized Sectuer and Cannondale Synapse. If you are coming off a MTB i would stick to these type of bikes.

The other things to take into account are if you have back problems , neck problems a straight back will aggravate the condition. Buy what is in your budget , you can always up grade components or if the bug bites buy a better summer bike and retire the other to winter.

The Carbon Fibre does make a difference , it does act as a vibration damper, but it does inflate the cost of bikes greatly. Main thing at this point is a bike you are comfortably on, fits your pocket and fits your needs. The level of componentry I would look ate the Shimano Tiagra level and up , for 2012 the tiagra gear sets have gone 10 speed 2011 are 9 speed.

Most important of all , get a bike that fits! if it is to small or big it will be a horrid riding experience!

Hope this help some.

mmmmmm i need me a 2013 bike

Now go get some clipless pedals and cycling shoes. Those pedals are hideous. :P

Yes yes pedals and shoes are definitely the next order of business. I've already been looking at them.

Also, don't forget to tell us how many 'clipless moments' you have until you get used to them :bigsmile:

^^I can definitely relate to this comment! Got my clipless pedals and cycling shoes yesterday. My husband's advice as I leave to test them out, "Don't reach out with your hand, try to land on your shoulder!" I was thinking, yea yea whatever. 10 minutes later I'm thinking "Oh ****! I'm going down!" Definitely need some practice. :blushing:

Lol nice bike but I noticed your kayaking sticker more. Lol it would have been more useable in that rain,
I just started biking again this year, and need to buy new shoes since mine are no where to be found after not biking for 10 yrs

Enjoy your road bike

Connie