I am going to be test riding a few bikes this weekend, and would like some advice on what to look for. Have never owned a road bike, was a runner for 25 plus years and my knees insist that I switch to riding.

I will be looking at bikes in the $1,000 to $1,200 range which at this point includes the Trek 1500 and Specialized Allez Elite, both with full 105 gear.

What are some things to be looking for when comparing bikes? At this point I have read many posts on this site and understand that two bikes of identical size can feel completely different. I'm not sure why, but I'll take it on faith for now. But what exactly will be different?

My intent is to eventually ride 150 to 170 miles/week and do some longer century-type rides every few weeks during the riding season. Maybe eventually participate in longer road races.

Thanks for any suggestions. I know that I may not notice much difference in a 10 mile ride unless I know what I'm looking for.

Cheers