Sandra, I'm the same age as you. (I'll be 53 in July). I ride the full carbon OCR C3 from '05. I think a bike that is comfortable, fast, and will get you out riding and enjoying it is worth every penny. Giant's lifetime warranty made me feel great about the carbon. I've used and abused Black Beauty and she still shines like a new penny. If I were buying another bike, new, I would look at another Giant.

Besides I think your resale on that bike would be great. Carbon isn't getting any cheaper.

Go ahead and ride some other bikes. Any excuse to go to NOLA. But I have a sneaking suspicion you are going to come back to the Giant.