The Eye wrote:
I want to buy a used or new road bike with the best price/value
ratio.
Noway over $1000. Hopefully half that and used would be fine.

Suggestions?

Bianchi Brava.

"http://www.bianchiusa.com/brava.html" MSRP of $650, typically on sale
for around $600.

I don't know how long Bianchi can hold out before succumbing to the
desire to destroy this model. Hurry.

2004 Fuji League (not 2005)

Fuji has wrecked the 2005 League (in one year they went from a regular
frame to a compact frame, chromolloy steel to aluminum, and quill
headset to threadless headset) no doubt because the League was hurting
sales of their other road bikes. The 2004 went for around $350 street
price, see "http://www.bayareabikes.com/Detailed/21.htm"

Chromolly, non-compact frame, and quill headset, are highly desirable,
and usually only found on expensive road bikes; these two models are an
exception.

Oh, I forgot the usual useless, mindless drivel:

"Look for a shop, not a bike."
"There are only small differences between different brands and models."
"Look on eBay."

Actually, there are often good deals on craigslist, at least in the SF
Bay area, i.e. see:
"http://www.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=1&subAreaID=0&query=steel+road&cat=b ik&minAsk=200&maxAsk=600"