Well, I took good old Bluegirl out for a spin today, keeping in mind all the things I've read about in the forums over the last couple of days.

And I've come to the conclusion that I think the top tube is actually too long, not by much, but by enough that I now understand why I ride with the hand position that I do. My mountain bike is a women's specific, and I can feel how the handlebar position on that one is much more comfortable.

Also, the vibrations on my hands and wrists are just bad. It's bad enough when I'm tooling down the bike path at 16mph. No wonder I feel like I'm about to lose it when I'm going down hill on the rough asphalt at 30mph.

The things I do like: I LOVE how light and how fast (and blue) she is.

Good things for me to think about as I begin the process!!

My friend has a Raleigh Sojurn and LOVES it. And I was peeking at the Novara Randonnee at REI today. Of course, I live in a third floor apartment, so I have to be able to carry it up and down those stairs!

As many have mentioned before, the main issue is finding shops that actually have something built up in my size. BUT, that's why I'm starting early, so I have plenty of time to check things out instead of getting anxious and rushing.

Thanks! I LOVE these forums. They are making me happy and very bike crazy right now!