Flat bar or drops?

[sundial]

You guys have been great. Although I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a "plush" bike ( I like to give the impression of being a little more hard core ) my LBS is building a Sequioa for me to test ride on Saturday. I think the Dolce's top tube is going to be too short, even in the largest frame size. I looked at the Allez but the stance is too aggressive. Does anybody know what other brand bikes might be similar to the Sequoia?
As far as a recumbent. Not sure I have to go that route...yet. Thanks for putting the thought in my head for the future.

The newer Sequoias are really borrowing design concepts from the pro race bike geometry from a few years previously so I wouldn't be too concerned with looking like you are on a "mature" rider's bike. I have a Roubaix and other cyclists in our little group have bikes with more aggressive geometry. Guess who complains of numbness in the hands and wrists while battling sore shoulders and back?

I am more comfortable on a unisex bike but I almost always have to change out the stock 100mm stem for a 80mm stem and change out the seatpost as well.

By the way, I have a Globe too and it made me slower because of the weight of the bike paired with the 18T sprocket which was geared too high for me (I have an internal geared hub). I like riding it because it helps me to focus on the ride and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.

[Geonz]

HEre's another vote to check out those 7.5 FX bikes.

When I was ready to keep up better, I told my bike shop guy that I would be willing to try drop bars since the previous attempts that just didn't distribute my weight happily ... but really I wanted lighter and with bigger gears... faster.

They swapped out the tyres from the get-go for skinny ones; the wheels are fast ones and I really feel it when I'm going 16-18 and up from that. It's aluminum (which means on long tours I still go for my steel bike and just go slower, 'cause by the third day I'm making up bawdy songs about how badly I want to be straddlin' a carbon fibre frame), and *very* peppy.

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Ride 'em.

[Zen]

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Not an issue for me with these

[Photoflygirl]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

[HillSlugger]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

Congrats on the new bike! The site rules say you have to post a picture of your new steed!

[FlyingScot]

Thanks for the replies so far. They've been really helpful. Unfortunately I haven't had time to test ride the bikes I'm looking at. Hopefully this Saturday will work out (I'm in the middle of a big restoration). I'm leaning toward the Sequoia as I really do love my Globe. I have figured out that a women's specific design is probably not going to work because I have an extremely long torso and short legs/arms (you should see my flightsuit...it's ridiculous). I'll update you when I get a chance to actually ride something.