IF you want to go on long rides, I recommend a road bike at whatever cost your budget will allow. You can find good bikes starting as low as $300 or as much as $10,000(or possibly more). Go to your local bike shop and pick the one that works for you, fits and is a nice color. Take it in to be serviced every few month. I recommend enjoying your time on the spin bike, but getting a real bike and proper gear ASAP. Pick up a helmet, a cycling kit, sunglasses, spare tubes, pump, chain lube, a small tool kit and hitting the road. Dont wait until spring, just do it.
As far the brands. Dont worry about it. by the time you figure out the best brand you could have ridden a few hundred miles. By the time you care about brands, you will be ready for a new bike.