[JavaBrewer]

Good God...ride a few bikes and pick the one that talks to you. In the end it all comes down to your lungs, legs, and courage. The two best bikes I've ever owned were an 80's Land Shark (crit bike) and a mass produced Trek 2300 alum/cf combo bike. There alot of good all-round bikes but if you're looking for the best then you need 3 bikes... a crit bike, a distance bike, and a climbing bike.