Don't read too much into what the sales people recommend in terms of brands. Trek dealers (they are great people by the way) will recommend Trek/Cervelos, Bicycle Warehouse will recommend Specialized and Giants, Performance Bike will recommend Scotts, Fuji, and Schwinn, etc......(kind of see the pattern here?).

I know some BF members will recommend used but I would not recommend it for first time Road Bike rider unless you're absolutely sure what your looking for.

Assuming you're looking for under $1,200 for the bike alone (not including "stuff' mentioned above), you should look at Specialized Elites, Giant OCR/TCR, Fuji Roubaix, Trek 2.1, Felts, Cannondale, to name a few.

You'll have to test ride it to really know what fits you (and you'll know).

What I also recommend is to find the local bike dealer you trust (=answers all the questions, let you test rides without any pressure, etc., willing to perform some basic fittings, etc.).

I would also recommend checking out the new "last years models" to help you get to the price range your looking for. That's how I got my Giant TCR C3 in my budget (bought 2006 model in 2007).

P.S. You do not want Lance's bike. His bike was made for speed first and foremost, not necessary bang for the $$$ or comfort.