I also bought a Specialized Globe (comfort hybrid) after not riding for about 20 years. Thought it was just the best thing ever until I started a beginners class with a cycling club and was always in the back. I wanted to know if it was me or the bike. I went back to the bike store where I bought the bike and asked if I changed to road bike tires, would it go faster? The answer was that the Globe was not designed for speed. So, I tested a Specialized Vita Sport. They asked me what it would take to get me to buy it. I told them it would take more than just riding around the parking lot to see if it really was better than the Globe. They lent it to me and I took the same 20 mile club ride that I had taken with the first bike the week before. I flew on the Vita. I did buy it and now have to sell the Globe (they wouldn't take it back). The Vita is great. It is so much lighter (22 lbs.) and I can keep up with the road bikes. I just felt kind of bad that I had finally bought a new bike and now needed to replace it after 3 months. I just never anticipated that I would get so into cycling. It still has some of the features of the comfort bike that I did not want to give up. I like the flat bars. I can still reach the ground with my toe. It has trigger shifters and the numbers are shown so I know what gear I am in. It is just as comfortable (no pain anywhere) and so much faster. So, I would really recommend it! Janet