I have a couple of suggestions for American made bikes.
If you are considering carbon in your price range, Calfee can build you a Luna Pro for $1,495. A Luna Pro is a hand built carbon fiber bike made in California. I had one and it is a great bike with and excellent ride characteristics. It performs well and is very comfortable on long rides. I would still own it if I hadn't upgraded to a Calfee Tetra Pro. A Tetra Pro is $2,395.00
For $2695.00 you can get a Calfee Bamboo Pro which is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden hands down by far. It really eliminates road vibration, even better than carbon fiber and it looks like a piece of art work.
One great thing about Calfee is that even if you were to break the bike in half, he can fix it.
If you want steel or Ti, there is a Kish Bikes in California. He can make you a custom steel frame for $1,500 or a custom Ti frame for $2,350.00. Jim Kish teaches frame building at the United Bicycle Institute and builds an excellent bike.
Last edited by Carbon Unit; 09-23-08 at 12:48 PM.