Saint wrote:

I'd welcome some advice on a new machine too. Definitely want a road bike
with drops, mainly for training at my own pace and leisure riding (i.e will
not be used for racing).

If you're not racing then put serious consideration into a recumbent.
Better aerodynamics than a drop bar upright and an order of magnitude
more comfortable with it.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/