Originally Posted by
mazdaspeed
Buy an old road bike but hold out for something made after the mid 80's so it has aero brake levers, 700c wheels, no sketchy / heavy stuff.
^ good advice.
Look for anything with a double butted chromoly frame, too. Or classic aluminum (Cannondale).
Centurion, Schwinn, Miyata, Trek, Univega, Raleigh, Bianchi -- lots of good stuff in the 80's that's not too pricey.
I have bought STI-equipped bikes (Sora, RSX) at and below $250.