Best Recumbent Bike

I am currently trying to get into road biking (no competition, just exercise and fun) and I have found two or three bikes I wouldn’t mind starting on.

I found a Trek 1.1 brand new for $650.00 but as a grad student, the price is a little steep even for the cheapest bike I could find new. I even considered getting a $250.00 Schwinn from Walmart, but I know how terrible they can be. Today I also found a 2000 used GT ZR 4000 at a local bike shop. The people there were VERY cool and very helpful (unlike some bike shops where they are overly snooty). He said it was $450.00 but that he would knock off $42.00 if I bought it today or tomorrow. It has new Shimano shifters and wheels, but everything else was stock. I rode it, but I am clueless on what to look for in road bike.

I have been riding mountain bikes for about 3 years and during the warmer months I ride everyday that it is dry enough for (currently own a Gary Fisher Marlin Disc). I live right next to a well known park with many hills that is very popular for road bikers. So my question is, should I go with the GT ZR 4000 for the cheaper price even though it is 10 years old, or the Trek 1.1 for around $250.00 more? Or if you know of any other cheap bikes (around $400) I should look in to?

Remember I am new to the road bike scene and may end up hating it. However I really doubt I will sense I am obsessed with mountain biking and biking in general. Thanks!
Well I’m pretty sure the bike was a good size because the guy there sized it up with me on it. I walked in and talked a couple minutes and he guessed my height and said most of the bikes their were my size. How did he guess 5′11? We are the same height. haha
Thanks for all the quick feedback!

It does have brand new brifters(?), and gearing system. It is shimano and the guy there said that they alone cause the bike to be $100 more than if it didn’t have them. The bike was in EXCELLENT condition. The guy that owns the shop is very into biking, builds most of the bikes himself and just opened the store. He said that people are too willing to buy new bikes for real expensive when the old frames are just as good as many of the new ones. He just makes sure that everything on them are smooth before selling them.

He collects rare italian road bikes and owned a bike store in Italy for over 5 years b4 moving back to the states. He seemed very genuine and even asked my name, etc. when I told him I rode mountain bikes in the park behind the store. He seemed very reliable and offered lifetime replacements for parts as long as the damaged parts weren’t my fault (crashing).

It seems like he is just happy to have other fellow bikers.
As for the bike fitting…I am unsure since it is the first road bike i have test road. I may go test ride the Trek just to have something to compare the GT to. It looks like its in great condition and the paint job isn’t outdated.
GT ZR 4000 specs:

http://www99.epinions.com/bike-Bicycles-All-46356-GT_ZR_4000__2000

Remember that it has brand new Shimano Brake Shifters (or brifters) and a new rear derailer.

My idea is to ride a few new bikes in order to compare the GT to, but unfortunately it has been raining (and is planning to do so for the next few days) and most bike shops won’t let you ride their bikes in the rain. The guy at the store also mentioned that he sells about 10 bikes a day and has sold 7 GTs pretty quickly.

The bike shape is great, but he did say the bike brakes kind of suddenly. I’m not sure if he was comparing that to other road bikes, or the fact that he knew I was a MTB rider and was used to looser braking. I rode with caution but it seemed to break fine for me.