I've been following this because your "next step up" bike could be my "step down bike" or winter trainer. I love talking about cycling when I commute but sometimes I just wanna veg on the train. The fancy lookin' road bike everyone wants to talk to me about it, they ignore my mountain bike when I ride that but if I ride that I'm late to work.

Yeah, I know, leave early and or get stronger.

So I'm looking for plain looking, flat bars (what is this that non-cyclists have about drops?) fast enough to get me to work on time. May have to bring my checkbook to Veloswap in October.

Surly sounds good or the Trek.....