New road bike, can't decide!

[Kyna]

I have to admit, I've been a long time lurker on the boards, but here's my first post.

I got my first "real" bike about a year and a half ago. A Gary Fisher Tassajara GS. I wanted a mountain bike because my boyfriend at the time was big into trails and I wanted to option to go with, and it was most similar to my little Giant hybrid i grew up with. First time trying SPD clips, loved em and feared them all at the same time! lol. Had fun with it on and off, but really fell in love with both the bike and cycling this year when I decided to put slicks on it and lose 35 lbs! That and clips finally didn't scare me anymore!

Well 25 less pounds and a fractured elbow later (I spooked a lady who didn't speak english when i called out i was passing her on her left.... banked left right into me), I'm still lovin my bike and I have a new goal...

MS-150 when it comes around next year! Course as much as I love my mountain bike, the poor lady, I feel just isn't going to cut it for rides longer than 15-20 miles as my tush and other parts just aren't happy (even after a prof fitting and new Terry seat). I'm guessing I'm trying to hard to put myself into a road position on a bike thats not designed for it.

So totally new territory for me. I'm trying to pick out my first road bike. I've tried out a few and I think i've narrowed it down to 2, but i'm having a hard time deciding and I was wondering if you ladies had any advice. One thing I've noticed is that the bikes that aren't more "women specific" tend to make me stretch out too far also making me feel I'm not in as much control as I should be. I also have very tiny hands though I'm 5'5".

The two I'm looking at are the Specialized Dolce Elite (48cm, aluminumn)
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...q8m9ctj.j27002

and the Bianchi Eros Donna (49cm, steel frame)

http://www.bianchiusa.com/eros_donna.html

Price is a concern unfortunately, but I want someting better than an entry level bike. Any suggestions would be very welcome!