Buying a Bike in Three Weeks--Suggestions

[Ritamarie]

Test ride your bike before buying. Most good bike shops will let you go for a real ride, not just around the parking lot. My LBS let me take each bike I was considering out for a 10 mile ride. I rode the same loop on all. I chose a hilly loop since I wanted a good climbing bike. I test rode a $1200 bike that beat out the $4000 bike hands down. It just suited me and my riding style. I ended up buying the upgraded version of that $1200 bike.... a Cannondale Synapse Fem 1, which by the way, from your description is a bike you should try (not necessarily the Fem 1).

By the way, I have a friend that has that bike that I didn't like, and she's crazy fast on it. It suits her style.

Another LBS that I went to when I was looking for my Surly, told me "Be back by 7:00 PM; that's when we close." (It was 11:00 AM.)

Bring a friend with a bike equipped with a bike computer and go for a ride.

Also, a piece of advice my father gave me when I was breaking out in a cold sweat over the thought of spending so much money on a bike. "You'll never regret buying quality". He was right.