I want to do the Tour de Kota... (South Dakota's multiday bike tour) next summer and I'd like to do the local MS150. I know that it's possible to do these things on a hybrid... lots of people do. However, lots of people recommend getting a roadbike as long as I'm looking to do long mileage rides anyway. Just putting clipless pedals on my current bike would help loads... but the additional hand positions available on a road bike would be really nice too.

Also, on kind of a superficial note... The color scheme kinda draws me toward some bikes. For instance, pink bikes are very pretty, they're just not me. But, they're also out of my price range... so it's cool. Though, I prefer black or maybe dark blue to the crystal blue and red. But, those are just details.