When I first got back into being on a bicycle, i didn't want the skinny wheels. I started back on a mountain bike, which got me comfortable riding again, and then bought an older (92) cross/touring/not sure what it is really bike on Craigslist. It LOOKED like a road bike, but the tires were fatter than a normal road bike, and had a little tread to them. It had these fat brakes, too. This bike made me feel SECURE. Once I rode that enough, it was no problem to "upgrade" to a skinnier tire.

You know, you can always test ride. In fact, you should test ride as many models as possible before you commit. They might wince because they don't know you and you're a girl and you don't *look* like your typical customer, but you ARE a customer, and you deserve to have the same opportunity as that athelto dude they were helping in the second shop. Keep doing your homework -- keep shopping, and keep finding out what it is that you like when you picture yourself on a bike. Make sure you wear bike shorts and if possible good sturdy shoes to your shop so you can test ride in comfort.

Don't buy until it is dreamy! You'll know it when you ride it!