Road Cycling - Which bike?

Hi I'm really new to the biking world, I've always mountain biked, but I really want to get into road bikes. Ive been doing some searching and found 3 bikes that seem pretty similar that are all around $1000 which is about as much as i can spend
the bikes are the:

Trek 1500
Lemond Tourmalet
Specialized Allez elite

which one do people think is the better bike out of these three. And are there any better ones that are no more then $1000 that you know of?

Thanks for the help

::EDIT::
Here are the sites with all the specs.
Trek
http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/1500.jsp

LeMond
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/tourmalet.jsp#

Specialized
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6007&JServSessionIdroot=yc3smpdgyz.j27006

Thanks again for the help

Those bikes are fine. If you are thinking aluminum and best "bang for the buck" - it's hard to beat this:

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=24415&lsubcat_id=7618&lcat_id=7605&referpage=

55/Rad

Check out Giant's OCR line, great bikes, great prices. But they have compact geometry (a sloping top tube, like a mtn bike) which doesn't work with some body types.

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/000.000.000/000.000.000.asp

-Middi-zon

OT, but Middi-zon, I have the same 2 bikes as you--an '02 Ranier and an '04 OCR 3.

Which fits you best - which turns you on?

They are all great bikes. You can't go wrong if they fit you correctly.

I got the Lemond because I have a long body and short , short legs, and it worked for me.

I have an 03' Allez and love it. I also have a traditional geometry cannondale and the ride is very nice. The compact frame, IMO, gives more of a MtB (hardtail, steel fork, old school MtBs, that is) feel in terms of handling.

Also, with no scientific basis, the compact frames do not perform as well cornering while at high speed. A real squirrelly feeling, but that could be from other factors related to my riding abilities, but a tradition frame feels smoother.

As the others suggest, the ONLY way to answer your question is to test ride them all and pray "the one" is in the shop which treats you best. I've found that my jump from Mtb to Road required a whole new set of gear, upgrades (adjustment bits), mechanical skills, and maintenance routines; and I consider myself very handy.

good luck

In the bang for the buck catergory I like the Marin Verona which you should be able to find for around $1000. If not then the Argenta.
http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_verona.html

Also, the Felt F60, F70 or F80.

http://www.feltracing.com/2004_bikes/f60.html

Truth of the matter is there aren't a lot of bad choices.

Wow thanks for the help everybody, I really appreciate it

Also look at the Schwinn Fastback line. Very high quality frames and basically the best components you will ever see at their price line. For $1399 you get an Ultegra bike with Carbon FSA cranks, and a frame with double pass welds that rival Cannondale or Klein, easily.

Good luck with the bike purchase!

They're all great bikes, with good component specs and nice frames. Go to your LBS and take them all on test rides. Buy the one that feels the best to ride. As DnvrFox mentioned, Lemond geometry typically fits better for those with shorter legs/longer torsos.

At $1000, there are also good options from Fuji, Bianchi and Giant. At this time of year, you might start finding some decent deals on '04 models as the '05s are just around the corner from their release date.

At $1000, there are also good options from Fuji, Bianchi and Giant. At this time of year, you might start finding some decent deals on '04 models as the '05s are just around the corner from their release date.

This reminds me. There is a seller on e-bay cyclespectrum that has a '03 Fuji Marseille for $995 that's half price for that bike 853 steel and full Ultegra. A pretty kickin' deal. They are a reputable shop with multiple locations. They'll do anysize in that bike you just have to call.

I was able to test out the Felt F50 today and the trek 1500, both felt really nice. The trek did feel a little nicer though. I wish I had the money for a $1300 bike but alas I do not. Im getting lucky though I can get about $100-$150 off a bike which is the only reason I can afford even a $1000 bike. Again thanks for all the help everybody