Originally Posted by
DScott
To avoid becoming a dilettante, I think the best way to find out "what's best" is to ride what you have into the ground. Replace when needed, after doing your research at that time.
A lot of these answers become much more obvious when you have a bunch of time in the saddle. Then, you better understand that "the mission drives the gear."
Nailed it.
One further: Start to learn what sort of nuances you look for in the contact points (hands/feet/butt) with cheaper stuff first. Trial and error is, as with any new interest, unavoidable. As much as it feels like you're saving yourself some trouble by sniffing out the top tier equipment now, the God's honest truth is you probably wouldn't notice the difference between that and something more middle of the road at this point. Hell, you might find something you love at a lower price point.
Is the bike your getting your "first"? Or have you built up an interest on something else? Mountain bike, etc.