- was (am) exactly where you are... started w/a $350 'comfort' bike - nothing wrong with that mind you, and don't let anyone tell you or give you the impression that a comfort bike (or hybrid) is any less of a bicycle than any other bike (they're ALL bikes)...
- as an old biker i knew that i'd eventually want a road bike, and after a couple months that's what happened... my solution was to find a nice used road bike that fit and is comfortable to ride ($500 for a Specialized Allez Sport, which i then upgraded to all 105 components)...
- i now use the comfort bike for easy days or as a loaner for guest riders, and am pounding the heck out of the road bike until i get fitter, trimmer, faster, etc....
- in six months to a year i'll spring for a really nice road bike...
- but $1000 - $1500 looks like the starting point for a basic new road bike, and i'm sure you'll find one that fits you and feels good in that price range...
- of course if money is no object, then i'm sure there are lots of fellows here with recommendations... (a Merlin Magia comes to mind)...
:-)
- good luck and let us know how it goes! i'm always interested in hearing success/happy stories!