Road Cycling - Looking for a road bike without a clue (a few options)

Alright, here is my situation. Up until recently I have never needed more than my vegas to get around because the bike was a source of recreation that just happened to transport me. Well, as of mid-august, I am moving into the dorms at UH Hilo and I want to be able to leave the car behind to get around town. The Vegas just doesn't cut it, since its single quite long gear is not great for the 100 yard long hill up to the dorms from anywhere in town. I want a road bike because the Vegas handles the dirt quite well, and I need some flexability around town. I have been looking at a few bikes in the $600-$700 price range here at the local dealerships, The Fuji Ace, and The Specialized Allez and Sequoia. I really don't know anything about road bikes, and pretty much only have these in mind because they are in stock and they are in my price range.

I want something Fast. First and Foremost I must be able to haul some serious a** on the bike, hence the reason I'm not looking for a cruiser. My style from years of riding BMX is very fast paced and aggressive (not hard on the bike, however), and I like to be able to keep up with traffic to the best of my ability. Also, it doesn't have to be like 100 mile per day comfortable, but comfortable enough to handle a 5 or 6 mile trek across town couple times a day.
-Which bike is the better value? The Fuji was quoted at $599 and the Specialized were quoted at $650-$680 depending on what their cost is when they come in (they arrive next week).
-Which bike would suit me best for a primary mode of transportation on dry days? (car will be used for hauling, rainy days, ect.)
-Which bike is geared better for in town riding?
-Which has the better components (shifters, brakes, ect.)?
-Are there any other bikes you would suggest?

Thanks in advance for your replies, I REALLY appreciate it.

If you are going to be leaving the bike at school, I would think that a cheaper bike is better. Any bike, at a bike shop, will be able to take you 5-6 miles. All road bikes in a similar price range will likely have similar components and gearing.

Going fast is a factor of the engine (you) not the bike. None of the bikes you listed will be meaningfully faster than the others. Keep one thing in mind, road bikes are light weight and relatively fragile. At the mileage you indicated, you may want to consider a comfort or hybrid bike. They will cost much less then a road bike, be more durable, and will slow you down by only 1 or 2 MPH.

Coming from your background do you want a flat bar bike or a traditional dropbar?

That would be where I'd start. If you don't want a flat bar then comfort, hybrids, etc are out.

Second, do you want aluminum, steel, or a aluminum carbon combo? In the lower end price range you will pretty much only be looking at aluminum bikes unless you go with a used bike (nothing wrong with that...good deals to be had).

When you are comparing the Allez to other brand/models...what model of Allez are you looking at, just the plain Allez, or the Sport or Elite? This makes a difference in the component level and apples to apples comparison.

How is the terrain around you, hilly or fairly flat? If you have constant inclines a triple chainring might be the better choice in terms of double vs triple.

Those are just the first thoughts that came into my head. :)

Alright, here is my situation. Up until recently I have never needed more than my vegas to get around because the bike was a source of recreation that just happened to transport me. Well, as of mid-august, I am moving into the dorms at UH Hilo and I want to be able to leave the car behind to get around town. The Vegas just doesn't cut it, since its single quite long gear is not great for the 100 yard long hill up to the dorms from anywhere in town. I want a road bike because the Vegas handles the dirt quite well, and I need some flexability around town. I have been looking at a few bikes in the $600-$700 price range here at the local dealerships, The Fuji Ace, and The Specialized Allez and Sequoia. I really don't know anything about road bikes, and pretty much only have these in mind because they are in stock and they are in my price range.

I want something Fast. First and Foremost I must be able to haul some serious a** on the bike, hence the reason I'm not looking for a cruiser. My style from years of riding BMX is very fast paced and aggressive (not hard on the bike, however), and I like to be able to keep up with traffic to the best of my ability. Also, it doesn't have to be like 100 mile per day comfortable, but comfortable enough to handle a 5 or 6 mile trek across town couple times a day.
-Which bike is the better value? The Fuji was quoted at $599 and the Specialized were quoted at $650-$680 depending on what their cost is when they come in (they arrive next week).
-Which bike would suit me best for a primary mode of transportation on dry days? (car will be used for hauling, rainy days, ect.)
-Which bike is geared better for in town riding?
-Which has the better components (shifters, brakes, ect.)?
-Are there any other bikes you would suggest?

Thanks in advance for your replies, I REALLY appreciate it.

JMHO, but I would just go into my LBS and ask them what used road bikes they have... you can probably buy a bike for your purposes for less than $400 and get way more bike than you could get new for $750..

Yeah, The local bike shop doesnt carry anything used, as with most things bike related or not in hawaii. The terrain on the big island is really a kind of constant slope everywhere, be it uphill or downhill, so I was really only considdering a triple chainring. The allez I'd be looking at is most likely the bottom of the line model. I was also shown the Sirrus at my local (and the only reputable) bike shop, which caused some interest. I may go back and give the sirrus a little more serious considderation when I check it out. By faster, I guess I ment a longer gearing or more potential. I know that most of it comes down to the rider, but like I said, I have no clue about the differences between road bikes. As far as leaving it at school, I'm making entirely sure its locked in my room when I go out. No bike racks for me, even though UH Hilo is fairly safe for expensive bikes (my vegas once sat on the rack out front of the dorms for 2 weeks with no incident)

I've gone downhill at over 40 mph and not been in my highest gear (still pedaling meaningfully). Any road bike should have more than enough gearing for you.

Vegas, bikes are not like cars. Auto manufacturers make the engines, the transmissions, the frames, and so on.

Bike manufacturers make the frames only. They buy everything else from the component manufacturers. So often, 2 bikes at about the same price will have very similar if not the same components and vary at the frame. The frame can affect the ride and handling primarily because of the geometry (a long wheel base gives more comfort, a short wheel base gives faster turning and it gets more complex but this is to give you an idea). Frame materials (aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, titanium), used to be a big deal but the engineers have learned how to make bikes out of these things so the rides are not vastly different.

I would suggest that you go with the one whose ride and color you like the best. I suspect the more expensive bike will have moderately better components but unless you are planning something more ambitious then 5-6 miles, that isn't going to be a factor.

I am moving into the dorms at UH Hilo and I want to be able to leave the car behind to get around town.

Ha - you're a couple blocks down the hill from me. (well...will be, anyway) Where have you been shopping - Mid-Pacific Wheels? (I think there's another place somewhere nearby too, but I haven't been there yet) Make sure you test-ride everything up a big hill like Mohouli or at least Lanikaula so you can really get a feel for it. I guess Lanikaula and up through campus to Nowelo would be less stressful if you're not used to the gears/balance/feel of the bike yet.

Any basic model from a quality manufacturer should be OK. The models you mentioned are just fine. Get what feels best when you test-ride it. Hopefully they've got the right size for you. Biking in the rain isn't too bad, on the lower-traffic streets. Not much you can do to avoid it here. :)

bkr