You and I are in the same boat. I am 6'1" and 196 pounds. A 54 bike is way too small in my opinion. Forget the 1500.

One of my sons rides a 2006 Trek 1500 (54). Another has the 2005 Trek 1000 (58). So I have personal experience with both.

When I changed from my Trek 7500fx (22.5 inch/58) to a road bike this spring, I chose a 2005 Specialized Allez Triple for the more upright riding position it offers. I bought it for $499 on closeout. The shop had the 2005 Allez Sport Triple, the equivalent of the Trek 1200, for $649.

I think the 2004 may be overpriced as mentioned before, BUT if you have a bad back, money is not the entire issue. My back prefers the more upright ride of the Specialized to the Trek.

The only real downside I have found on Sora shifters is that you cannot "micro-shift" the front derailleur as you can with the Tiagra on the Allez Sport or the Trek 1200. Really not a big deal. You will learn to work around that.

For what it is worth, I used the money I saved between the Allez and the Allez Sport to upgrade the wheels. Much more bang for the buck than shifters, in my opinion.

Hope this helps.

EDIT-- I missed that you are in Canada. The price may be better than I thought. Bill