What other brands of road bikes are there? I really LOVE Bianchi but what else is out there?

Redline,Lynskey,Jamis,Cervelo,Look are spectacular with their road bikes ( www.sportspeople.net,schwabcycles.com ) Enjoy!

There are dozens of major bike manufacturers out there, but in any given region, there are also often local builders. As for shimano vs Campagnolo, both make fine component groups, in various price ranges, so don't rule campy out, it doesn't necessarily cost more, it's just less common. Sram is also now making components for road bikes. Sometimes a local builder can be a good choice. A friend of mine owned a steel road bike built by a local framebuilder, he had an accident, crashing into the back of a parked car and he bent his frame and fork. He was leaving on a charity ride 5 days later. He took his bike to the builder, and they rebuilt his frame for him in 2 days and repainted it so he could do his ride. That is service you could never get from Trek or Cannondale. Check in your local shops, see what they have other than the big brands. Once you have a good bike, possibilities open up. I know people in their 60's who still ride megamiles every year

Like others said, there isn't any significant differences among the brands. In fact, at your price level you'll find out that the frames were all made in one of a few very large factories in Asia. The best way to stretch your dollars for a new bike is to find a shop with a leftover from a previous model year. I bought a 2006 bike when the 2008s were received at the shop. It would cost over $1000 more to replace that bike now with a new one. HTH

I ride an Orbea, which is a very good Spanish company. I have the Onix, which might be over you limit as its full carbon and alot of their bikes are pricey. But I do believe you can can get something on the lower end for about $800 if you do some research and shop around. I got mines at $1100, and it was an incomplete bike. Had to get the wheels, brakes, and crank from my Cervelo. Cervelo by the way is Canadian but makes alot of high end stuff for the pros, specializing mostly in triathlon bikes.

My last 3 bikes have been Giants, one was stolen, the other 2 are still in regular use.

I find them to be good quality, at a reasonable price, and many options for each model, from an inexpensive base model up to a well equipped version, based on the same frame.

You should get a good bike, to suit your needs, within your price range.

My first Giant was purchased as a mid priced all - round road bike, but I did end up racing it.

Hope this helps

<=Schwinn/steel/lugs.

The Bianchi is an excellent choice in your price range. It must be in Celeste though.

thinredline, specialized, cerovelo, kona, lemond, meryk, pinnerelo, those are first to mind there are a cpl dozen mfr. shimano is all i've used served me well for 20+ yrs.