Road Cycling - getting a bike?

I haven't ridden a bike in over 5 years but getting back into it. I've been looking at several bikes but can't make my mind up. I'm looking for a bike in the $5-600 range. I'm going to be riding on paved roads. I've thought about either getting a entry level road bike like the Trek 1000, but i also like the Giant Cypress SX (a hybrid with road bike components). Does anybody have any experience with either of these?

no, but i'm quite pleased with my low-end Specialized Allez. cost me $499. the only downside was that the spokes were crap, and the back wheel broke a spoke twice, and so the manufacturer gave me a credit and i bought some new wheels...but i spent another $100 to get decent wheels. this was a 2002 model that i bought in june, and they've since changed the wheels/spokes on the newer models. other than that, the bike does the job.

I haven't ridden a bike in over 5 years but getting back into it. I've been looking at several bikes but can't make my mind up. I'm looking for a bike in the $5-600 range. I'm going to be riding on paved roads. I've thought about either getting a entry level road bike like the Trek 1000, but i also like the Giant Cypress SX (a hybrid with road bike components). Does anybody have any experience with either of these?

I'm in a simular situation,myself. Some ten years ago, I used to ride road bikes, then switched (traded-in) to a hybrid as at the time I was recovering from surgery. Well, I ended up riding it only years later (last spring).

I'm now looking at some of the road "comfort" or "sport" bikes. Such as the Specialized Sequoia, Trek "C" series road bikes, Cannondale, and so on.

I test road a Speialized Allez Road Bike, and though it was a quick and spirited ride, I can't imagine myself in a true "roadie" position for prolonged rides and a varying pace (I like to stop and smell the roses). Plus it would be an "all-purpose" machine used for fitness, commuting, charity rides, and fun. I think these "Comfort Road Bikes" are a bit beefier than the appearingly fragile "starter" road bikes.

However, the Trek 730 MultiTrack Hybrid I ride now is one rock solid machine. I hope the Sora system lasts as many miles as the GripShift 7 speed ALivino groupo that I'm using!

I hope the Seqoia fits the bill, cause I can't find a LBS my conscience would let me abuse for a complementary test ride (e-bay, so don't outbid me, please ;) )

Hope this helps, and try a search on your subject,

ehenz

I dont think that any modern bike is too fragile. Ive ridden Al road bikes off road with no problems.
A good style of bike for all-round use is a sport-tourer or a cyclo-cross tourer. Look for a drop bar in a more relaxed position, clearance for wider tyres, rack and fender fittings, and usually a triple chainring. The cx style is better on trails, the sport tourer is usually a better bike for long century rides, but both will work for most riding.
Bianchi, Jamis, Trek, etc all make these styles.