My first bike was a Navigator, too. I was afraid of road bikes and that crazy positioning. I got a Giant Transend, a lighter, commuter bike with 700 slick tires. At first that felt weird because it was so light compared to the Trek, and more responsive. After 9 months on the Giant, I was so ready for more speed and got my Fuji. It's a cyclocross bike, though, so it has wider, knobbie tires which I'm sure made the transition easier. I now have a second wheelset, lighter with skinny road slicks on it, and I just swap them out depending on my ride. I find it a great "all-around", multipurpose bike and I have no problem keeping up with friends on "true" road bikes. One downside is the gearing - its not made for really big, long hills. I'm in Colorado, so I know mountains - I'm fine for most rides, and I've done triathlons on it, too. Just a suggestion