Ya gotta ride them. At a given price point, most road bikes are very similar. Today, most $1,000 bikes, regardless of their decals, will have an aluminum frame and a carbon fork, both made in communist China. Most of the key components will be identical, or very similar, in quality.

So, how do you pick a bike? The first three factors are "good fit", "good fit" and "good fit". And, getting a "good fit" has become very difficult. Road bikes used to be fun, fast transportation. Today, they are an opportunity to pretend to be "Lance Armstrong".

Many shops put customers on bikes that are two or three inches too small. The riders are positioned with their hands four inches below the saddle, with their noses against the stem. They look like Lance. They feel like hell. For comfort, most riders need to have their hands up as high as the saddle. And, getting the bars that high requires that the frame not be toy sized.

The second "Shop" issue is service. The best bike shop is one that is a five minute walk from your home and offers first rate service. That way, when your bike needs adjustments (and it will) you can ride over and get the work done. And, if you ever have a warranty issue, you want a bike shop that will stand behind the warranty and make sure that you are fully taken care of.

So, you need to be visiting shops. Checking out their service department. Talk with them about getting a proper fit for YOUR riding goals, not someone else's goals. When you find the right shop, they can tell you which of their bikes in your price range will best meet your needs.