Waiting for spring, since I have my leg in a cast till almost March. Bought a couple of jerseys from Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar. Also, bought a Garmin 305 - need to get the bike mount. Need to get some shorts - is it true to buy expensive shorts? But do I need to invest alot of $$$ on shorts if I don't plan on logging tons of miles? Also, think I might buy myself a new road bike, right now I have a Giant OCR 3W. I really like the Specialized line - my budget will be about $1,000-$1,200. Any recommendations? The LBS in my area sell Specialized, Giant, Trek, Jamis and Surly. Thanks

Sorry to hear about your leg, perfect time of the year for a broken bone though, I would be mad as a billy goat if I couldn't bike during the warm season. Maybe you should get your mind off cycling by buying an xbox to play call of duty like a real american

I've had good luck with the very affordable Aerotechdesigns shorts for rides up to 100K or so, but for longer rides I've switched to bibs. Shorts do make a big difference, but the saddle is half the battle at least.

Any cycling specific short is going to be better than anything else, but the nicer (and unfortunately, more expensive) the short, the more comfortable and better quality it will be. Nicer shorts offer more panels, conformed construction, better stiching, and a more comfortale chamois. If you are looking for a recommendation, the Ibex and Smartwool shorts are my favorite for everything except the hottest summer days.

The OCR3W is a nice bike for fitness riding. Going to something at the $1200 price range will basically offer better componentry - so 10 spd instead of 8 spd, faster wheels, a stiffer bottom bracket. Not too sure on the Specialized line, but most manufacturers in that price range will offer both a more relaxed road bike (like the OCR) and a more race oriented bike, which will get you leaned over a little further forward with more agressive positioning. The frame itself is still aluminum and a carbon fork, so no major upgrades there. Basically better components and possibly different frame geometry.

Shorts - my favorites are Assos and Gore brand bibbs, but I have only tried these and Descent, Castelli and PI.

Bikes - are you looking for another bike or replacing what you have. I really like Gunnar frames and would move your old equipment to the new frame.

I got a pair of inexpensive shorts at REI and despite the cheap price tag, they definitely do make a huge difference, so I don't think spending a lot of money on shorts is necessary.

In regards to the bike, my first decent bike was a Specialized Rockhopper, and that thing was virtually indestructible. Unfortunately, I had to leave it behind when we moved to Texas. My wife and I currently have Trek mountain bikes and I just recently got us some Trek road bikes and I couldn't be happier. My brother in law rides a Jamis and he has nothing but positive things to say about it. All the brands you mentioned are pretty good, so I'd recommend test riding all of them to see which one feels the best and get that one.

I decided to splash out a couple of years ago on Giordana bibs. Bit more expensive than I normally buy but I did get a good deal from my LBS.

All I can say is that I wondered why I never got them before. The fit is incredible- the comfort is unbelievable and they have a bit of "Bling" factor as opposed to the previous ones I had used.

I had been wondering about Assos clothing and managed to get a very good deal on last years model of a winter jacket and boy is that good. Can't quite push myself into going to their prices though.

Edit

$1200 will not get a much better bike than the OCR3. What it will get though is better components. Think about upgrading the OCR with Handbuilt wheels or even some "Known" good ones. They will improve the OCR no end and can be fitted to the "New" bike when you eventually get one. And you will then be able to afford a complete strip from the "Assos" range.