I don't race so I don't need a bike for racing. I don't need to go particularly fast but I do sometimes go long. I like geared bikes but my two fixed gear bikes a lot more fun to ride.
My "new" geared bike is, well, really old and I'm looking for a new one. I'm well past 55 and can afford pretty much any bike I "want". I know inside that I don't need an expensive bike but I want one; however, I won't go much past $2,000.00 because any more bike than that won't make me go any faster or any longer.