Bikes....newbie full of questions.

It's been a long time since I've bike much at all other than the occasional ride around the neighborhood.  I've got a Giant mountain bike that I'm ok with for now but I want to get a road bike or a tri-bike.  I figured that I'd get one in the Fall when they go on sale.  I just don't know what type of bike to get.

From what I've read there is a great prejudice against tri-bikes riding with a group.  I'm not sure I totally understand why this is so.  I guess it's because of the aero bars and lack of control in a pack?  I think that I will be riding mostly in a pack or group.  Southern Indiana is very pretty with it's rolling hills but to ride solo is just asking for trouble.  People can be mean to cyclists and I don't want to end up being a hood ornament.

My local bike shops sell Cannondale, Giant, and Trek.  I want to stay local because of the service that I'll need.

Thanks for your help.
Duane

 Cannondale/Giant/Trek are all great bikes, you're not going to go wrong.
If you're looking to do mostly group rides than yeah, go with a road bike.  Many group rides won't even let you join if you have aero bars.  There is a handling difference between a tri and a road bike, and yeah if you're doing close riding and there's sprints and breaks than you're asking for trouble.  As my other post states I'm considering doing a century on my tri bike this weekend.  I'll stay out of the aeros while in a group and make sure I'm not doing any drafting or being drafted when I do go into the aero position.
Fall is a great time to get a bike with all the deals out there and like I said, you're looking at some good brands.  Enjoy, always a fun time time to be looking at new bikes!

What Dan said!!!

When you are spending a lot of money on a bike all of these vendors know it.  None of them makes a crap bike.  I went to at least 5 different stores in my town and they all said the same thing.  They wouldn't bad talk each other, they all said that they all had great bikes, what it comes down to is how well you fit on the bike, how comfortable you look on the bike and a little vanity, what you think the bike looks like.  Oh and of corse your price range.

These 2 places have great reviews
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/
http://www.bicycling.com/channel/0,6609,s1-1-0-0-0,00.html

Just go to their bike reviews sections and start drooling.

Scott

 Thanks for the feedback guys.
Duane

I've just spent a month agonizing over my first decent road bike purchase.  I'm not good enough to warrant a tri bike I'd look like a fool out there in the bop or mop.  I actually still ended up spending a lot more than I originally set out to.  I was thinking no more than $600 and ended up spending $1400.  Lordy good bikes are expensive,  but I am very happy with my purchase, a Specialized Dolce Comp compact.  I did a lot of research, it has just enough carbon in the right places for a more comfortable ride and Shimano 105 components which I was advised by many to be the min to invest in for longer term satisfaction.