@ TOCC
There is a law of diminishing returns with more money and bikes.
BUT, below a certain level, the quality of the frame material can be low, as can be the manufacture of said frame - i.e. more chance of frame failure. Many manufacturers won't guarantee beyond a certain period. There is quite a difference in weight, functionality and longevity of components as well between low and high end.
That said, there are plenty of bikes in the 2-3K bracket which represent great value for money.
It depends on what you want to do - as Sully says, if you're just trying to get fitter, then going super-light and expensive is largely irrelevant. If you ride with others who are pretty serious, any edge you get might matter!
Few things - depending on your size / weight you might look at different frame materials. Although they'll sell you a carbon frame without blinking, if you're >100kg be wary. Get set up right - poor position or being bunged on a frame based on your height, not your specific geometry can cause all sorts of issues ranging from poor comfort (sore arse, back, shoulder and neck pain and over / underuse of muscle groups such as too much quad / not enough glute / hammy). I'd recommend running wheels which have 25c tyres - can run at lower psi but similar rolling resistance as narrower tyres with more compliance, and I think better puncture resistance. I made the change 2 years ago and would not go back to 19c or 23c tyres.
In the East - Woolly's Wheels have a big range and good service but not super cheap; Cheeky Monkey at Randwick OK but smaller range / exxy; Europa Cycles at Kensington on Anzac Pde have a big range; Albion Cycles at Bronte (Bronte Rd) but also not cheap. In the city, Clarence St has a big range with some good deals at times.
How tall are you? What weight?
There is a law of diminishing returns with more money and bikes.
BUT, below a certain level, the quality of the frame material can be low, as can be the manufacture of said frame - i.e. more chance of frame failure. Many manufacturers won't guarantee beyond a certain period. There is quite a difference in weight, functionality and longevity of components as well between low and high end.
That said, there are plenty of bikes in the 2-3K bracket which represent great value for money.
It depends on what you want to do - as Sully says, if you're just trying to get fitter, then going super-light and expensive is largely irrelevant. If you ride with others who are pretty serious, any edge you get might matter!
Few things - depending on your size / weight you might look at different frame materials. Although they'll sell you a carbon frame without blinking, if you're >100kg be wary. Get set up right - poor position or being bunged on a frame based on your height, not your specific geometry can cause all sorts of issues ranging from poor comfort (sore arse, back, shoulder and neck pain and over / underuse of muscle groups such as too much quad / not enough glute / hammy). I'd recommend running wheels which have 25c tyres - can run at lower psi but similar rolling resistance as narrower tyres with more compliance, and I think better puncture resistance. I made the change 2 years ago and would not go back to 19c or 23c tyres.
In the East - Woolly's Wheels have a big range and good service but not super cheap; Cheeky Monkey at Randwick OK but smaller range / exxy; Europa Cycles at Kensington on Anzac Pde have a big range; Albion Cycles at Bronte (Bronte Rd) but also not cheap. In the city, Clarence St has a big range with some good deals at times.
How tall are you? What weight?