After reading through several threads on this forum, checking out bike mfg web sites and thinking through the conversations I've had with friends and at the LBS on Saturday, my plan this week is to ride several bikes by Giant & Trek. Wed night, the Giants then Saturday for the Treks. The Trek shop I'm going to on Saturday also carries Fuji, so I may look at those. Those seem to be the major brands bike shops around here carry.

Am I keeping my options too narrow? I've seen that many people are partial to other brands like Specialized and Jamis, but I don't think any shops in a reasonable distance from me carry those brands.

Oh -- I have to share -- as I mentioned in my original post, I wasn't sure how DH would react to my thoughts of a new bike. I mentioned that I stopped at a couple of bike shops on Saturday, but left it that I was "just browsing". Well, my birthday is Tuesday. Tonight, he said he had no idea what I wanted and asked me for suggestions..... I'll bet you don't have to guess what my answer was.... Yep, I said "a new bike" and he said.... "fine, when do you want to go look"!! Perfect