for me it is an evolution of discovery. I love my hybrid....but it didn't take too long for me to realize what the limitations of the bike are. (slow and heavy and not so lean on hills.) I also have really strong body memories of what a steel road bike was like to ride...a craving as it were....
I think there was no way to know until I jumped in and started having cycling experiences...And sometimes it takes a while for things to sift out....