where to start with a bike

First of all your height does not necessarily dictate what size bike you should buy. That will depend on a few factors such as your inseam, your torso, arm length, etc. Your best best is to find a reputable bike shop and get fitted for a bike. It costs around $100 to get fitted properly for a bike but it is well worth it down the road. Also, the fee is applicable towards the purchase of a bike in most good shops. As for what bike to buy, could say to get a Colnago C-50 with full Campagnolo Record groupo but that would set you back quite a few dollars and it many not be what you need. You have to decide what use you will be making of the bike in order to decide what kind to get. Do you want a bike that you can race on the road with, only for triathlons, long tours, ride on hilly terrain, commute? You need to answer these and quite a few other questions before you even begin looking.

You should definitely get fitted for whatever bike you buy.

That being said, I recently bought an entry level Fuji and have been very happy with it. Cost me about $350, which is really cheap by most standards. I imagine that other manufacturers have similarly priced beginner bikes as well.

Bill