Quote Originally Posted by millefolia View Post

I noticed this morning there's one other thing I need to evaluate about this bike, and I don't think it's anything anyone else can help me with. Getting on this bike feels more like a chore than like something I do for fun. Gotta try to decide whether I just need to get used to it or not.* But you've all helped me decide that in all other ways it's a fine bike for me!

*Because like they say, the most expensive bike is the one you let sit in the garage because you don't like riding it.

Go out and test ride a few new road bikes at a bike shop. Just to get a feel for whether you want vintage steel in the long run or something newer - and whether how the bike feels/rides is part of it feeling like a chore.