Catriona, Biciclista, MartianDestiny: OK, OK, I'll go try some more road bikes tonight! :-) I'm lucky enough to have lots of good local bike shops, so I'll hit as many as I have time for before they start closing tonight. (Thursday is my last day to return this one if necessary, so I aim to have a decision made by tomorrow night.)

Re it feeling like a chore: I think a big part of it is that mounting and dismounting is harder than on my hybrid--the seat is higher relative to the ground, though the same height relative to my feet on the pedals. That's why I say it might be something I'd get used to. But as you'd expect, I want to be sure!

Thank you all again for your suggestions.