I am currently searching, too.

My most adamant piece of advice would be to keep trying out more bikes!

The first bike I tried, I liked a lot. I thought it was "the one." (It also happened to be a screaming deal.)

Then I went out to more shops. Tried more bikes. Took my time. Have now tried maybe 12 bikes. When I say "tried" I mean, I left my credit card/drivers license in the store, took the bike outside, and rode on both flats and hills.

In short, the bike that I initially thought was "the one" - Well, it's still very nice, but meantime, two other bikes that I found at other shops were EVEN BETTER.

Also, I learn something new about biking at every shop that I visit. I ask a lot of questions. Get a lot of opinions.

So glad I didn't just get that first bike. It was not as good of a fit as some others; it had components I don't want; I don't care as much for the fitting/equipment philosophy of the shop; and one of the other bikes I found at a different shop offers a lifetime maintenance plan. None of this is something I would have figured out had I not gone out and explored more shops.

Good luck!