[greglepore]

Depends, but based on the current market, classic used steel might be tremendously undervalued. All of the go fast guys want light alu or carbon bikes. The fleamarket at the velodrome in Trexlertown yesterday had some very odd (for me) sales-ie 98 Colnago Masterlight, almost perfect paint, 98 Campy record, albeit an oddish size (59) went for only 500 bucks-a year or two ago, that was a $1200 bike. Now, if you're not after a beater, that sort of thing is hard to beat. OTOH, if you want something to not worry about and you're not the self maintainence sort, then whatever Eastern-built brand your local shop (ie not Performance/Supergo/Nashbar) sells is fine-Fuji, Giant, etc. The build cost on those frames is scary low, and they have really great retail bang for the buck as a result.

Trek builds some fine bikes, but not at that pricepoint.