I've been looking at bikes and I think I'm ready to do a full day of shopping and test riding at all the local bike shops.

I'm looking for a flat bar road bike/urban bike. The intent is to ride around town a good bit and hopefully eventually do some 60-100 mile events. The last bike I had was a Specialized Hardrock (I believe) without shocks. I think I got it in high school and then used it in college until it got stolen 5+ years ago, and all I've ridden since is the occasional ride on my mom's 20+ year old cruiser and lots and lots of riding on exercise bikes at the gym. I'm excited to get back on a bike that's appropriate for what I want to do, but I don't want to jump into paying too much.

Here are the bikes I'm planning to test out next week. Just wondering if anybody has any opinions. I don't know much about quality of components, etc. Obviously if there is a huge difference in feel or fit, I will take that into account first once I get a chance to try them out, but I'm interested in your opinions about everything else in case two or more feel the same.

Cannondale Quick 4 Women's Petite--$540

Jamis Coda men's & women's--$550

Fuji Absolute 2.0 men's & women's--price was in the $600-700 range, I don't remember exactly

I'm looking at men's bikes too since I have super short legs and a more normal-sized torso. I do know that the smallest men's Quick is too big for me; not sure about the others. Also I need to make sure to pick the bikes up and walk with them, since I'll want to keep it in my apartment which means carrying it down (and later up) a flight of stairs every time I use it. This might rule the Coda out; I don't know yet.

The Fuji women's is a mixte. Any thoughts on this compared to the men's Fuji and the other bikes?

Any thoughts in general on my first bike purchase with my own money? Thanks in advance!