Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 2
From: Off the back
Bikes: 2019 RM Pipeline, 2019 RM Blizzard, 2013 SuperX, 2007 Litespeed Vortex, 1970 Falcon Olympic, 2008 RM Metropolis IGH, 2004 Specialized Enduro, 2006 Langster
The bkes you've mentioned are a little more than an "entry level" bike in my books. I consider bikes equipped with Sora/Tiagra or Xenon entry level. IMO you are looking at "entry level competition" bikes.
My advice is to ride more bikes and spend as much as you can afford. BTW: Ebay has some great mid - upper end bikes in the price range you mentioned but be careful of who you buy from.
T.J.