$300 is a tough budget, though if you look on Craigs list you would be supprised what you find, though makes sure you do as much as possible. I just bought my first race worthy bike, and was was $1,300 on sale for $850 (2011 Fuji Roubaix 2.0 all Tiagra). If you are buying new or use, skip the Sora series and go with Tiagra or higher. The Sora gear set is extremely mushy and has clunky shifting in my opinion. Look for an older bike, from year 2000-2005, and you can run into a great deal.