Raemix

I'm strongly considering buying my first real bike, but I'm completely lost with the technical things. So here's the deal:

I've been riding my hypermarket-bought mountainbike I got in the 9th grade, 7 years ago, every day for about a year now for a 5km commute. I've been really enjoying it, except that the bike itself is terrible, too small, heavy to pedal and about every part needs replacing that I haven't replaced during this year. So I'd like to get a real bike now, which I could take care now like my own child. But I'm in a huge dilemma: the stupid hipster side of me begs me to get a cool retro-looking fixie, but I know that that isn't a good choice for easy riding, and I really enjoy riding as fast as possible, so that's a problem. Then the techie-me doesn't let me buy any bike that's too cheap, because the bike should be an investment in the future. Then the money-saving student side says that you can't take up a 4000€ loan to get the best one available, I can maybe scrape up an about 800€ investment for a bike. The end result is that I don't even know what I want.

As I've been researching a fixie I've stumbled into the old racing scene with the very stylish vintage bikes, and I'd really really love to get a bike that looks like it's from another era. The problem is that retro isn't today's fashion in road bikes, so there are few options other than buy an old bike and use that (if you know some brand these kind of bikes, please let me know). I'd also like to invest into a bike that is upgradeable, so that I can upgrade some parts instead of buying a new bike when I think it's time for a change. If there is a bike that has inferior parts but a really excellent quality frame, I'd like to know it. I also dislike anything that is too high-tech sporty looking or that looks like thief-bait. So please help me with my conondrum.

TL;DL: I want a retro style road bike with a great frame, that's upgradeable and costs under 1000€. Or a bike that fills at least some of these criteria.

datlas 

You have lots of choices for an entry level road bike in that price range. Don't get too hung up on the "retro" image.

Go for some test rides. Make sure you get a proper fit, that's key.

Raemix

Are there any options with straight round tubing for example? I dislike the design of the curved top tube most new bikes seem to have. (Sorry for being shallow about the looks of a bike, but I was originally going to dish out 500+€ for a fixie just for the looks)

Stucky

Will the 5km commute be your main use for the bike; or do you intend to take longer rides for pleasure?

For the 5km.s, just about anything will work. If you plan on taking 50km. rides...then a good-quality bike will make a big difference.

datlas 

Sure. Most Steel or Aluminum frames still are made that way. How about a Cannondale CAAD??

Raemix

I'll be using it daily for the 5km but I'm sure I'll be using it at least occasionally for longer rides. I've been on a few longer trips before, for example 100km during a weekend, but it was always a pain because of the old bike.

rms13

Used vintage steel bike with downtube shifters. Reasonably priced depending on used market where you live, appeals to hipster sensibility yet more practical than a fixie.