Quote Originally Posted by sarahspins View Post
That said, I know now that if I had just gone with a road bike when I was shopping I would have been happier - but I just wasn't sure what I wanted when I was shopping, nor was I sure about spending a lot at the time. Now I have a MUCH better idea of what I want and what I want to spend when I upgrade (will probably be a while still), and I'll definitely be keeping my 7.2fx

I've seen similar thoughts from several people across a couple of forums. I suspect that will happen regardless of how expensive of a hybrid I buy, so seriously leaning towards Dolce as a road bike from the start.

Funny, three months ago I was thinking a $300 full upright, step through "commuter" bike. Not so much anymore. As I've ridden more and more, I've not only changed the types of bike I am considering, inched my budget up. I've learned more, have a better sense to what I need. (well, inched may be an understatement ...started at $300, went to $500 and now is in the $800-900 range). I just don't want to spend $400-500 now and by next June or July be thinking, damn, now I want a new bike.

Of course, I have hard core biker friends trying to push me even higher. I think this range should be fine for quite a while....esp. because I still will have to go down the whole gear path...shoes, tool kits, better computer, , tubes, under seat gear bag for those tubes, tools.....the list goes on and on.