Best road bicycle for a grand

Lewis Lang said:

Hi. I have about US $1,000 to spend, and I would like to get a bike for
weekend riding. Is it possible to get something decent NEW for that
price, or will I need to go the USED route? Any suggestions? If you had
only 1 grand to spend on a bike, what would you buy?

Because of an insurance settlement on her Trek 520, my girlfriend just
had exactly that amount to spend. Her choice...a Trek 1500.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

For a one road bike household I'd definitely look at a cyclocross. I
have a Lemond Buenos Aires but bought a Cannondale xr800 and find it to
be the ultimate all around bike.
Pump the tires hard and it rides almost as fast as a regular road bike.
The partly knobby tires allow me to ride rail trails and light off road
with ease and the rack mount ability
makes it ideal for light touring /daytrips. Only cost $800.