Last year I got back into cycling (or... entered it for the first time as a person older than 12). After visiting my LBS and talking the the great shopowner, I got what's probably the definition of a "beginner" bike. It was a Fuji mountain bike, no suspension, nothing special. The normal handlebar shifters (Not the thumb pushing ones), straight handlebars, etc. It was about $350 I use it for when I go mountain biking with my friend, as well as for exercise just riding around on the road.

A few reasons are leading me to wanting an actual "road" bike. The same friend loves riding around the roads, and trying to keep pace with him on my mountain bike when he has a good quality road bike is almost useless. Along with that, I'm gonna be starting a short commute to my campus next year and would like to avoid driving when I can.

What I'm wondering is - Is there the same kind of low end bike, but as a road bike? I know I'm fairly dumb when it comes to it, but I'm thinking what you normally expect from a non-mountain bike... skinny tires, smaller frame, the curved handlebars. I'm sure you know what this amateur is talking about.

Like I said, the Fuji was a cheap beginner at ~$350. Is there anything like that for a road bike? If I could cap out at $400 (for the bike, not the extra accessories), I would be happy. Any brands/products you can recommend?