Road Bike-for $3,000 odd- what should I be looking at

[asagaai]

So- I am at that stage I cannot get out rock climbing due to work/family.

I am unable to run because I broke my right knee when 17 holding onto a motorbike when on a bicycle (I have done 100 kph on a bicycle holding onto a motorbike- but that story for another time).

Exercise has been gym, but I stuffed up my elbows doing far too heavy tricep presses-so my main recent exercise has been swimming - and that is not enough as with age you put on weight.

I have a 27 year old road bike- alloy and heavy, and has rusted spokes and I have given up riding it on a loop of 20 km with hills because one section you reach speeds over 60 kph and it started worrying me the front wheel collapsing.

So- I am thinking about buying a new road bike- and getting back into riding. I love riding in the country, with hills- up and down, like the feeling of speed and being on a remote road all by myself in the bush.

Do not have a clue what I should be looking for, a person said go carbon fibre cause it is lighter and absorbs bumps and is comfortable (my heavy alloy bike is rough as guts on rough roads).

I am in Newcastle, so going to Sydney is feasible. What should I be looking for, brands, frame -alloy/carbon fibre?, running gear, specific models and good deals in Sydney/Newcastle.

Given I am totally lost all help would be appreciated.

Cheers all.