Buying first road bike, but not sure where to start.

[stalagmike]

Secondhand always makes sense when it comes to vehicles, more bang for your buck.
Ironically, I'd say the comedians who do long charity rides on things like Choppers just for the hell of it, are actually probably fitter than a lot of the riders on lightweight fast stuff. Those sort of bikes, small-wheel Shoppers, and knobbly-tyred MTB's, are a lot harder work than an easy-rolling large wheel bike on road tyres.

Without a doubt they are fitter!