Hi! Thanks for your responses and suggestions... please keep them coming.

Veronica: I tried a 54cm Cervelo. And, when I came home, I also found the 48cm bike in Competitive Cyclist (argh). The person who helped at the store thought it a little too big for me, so I should go back, get a better fit and possibly try a 51cm. Because the store was packed (even within minutes of opening, when I was told it would be best to be there), we did not setup any bike on the trainer to make a lot of adjustments prior to the test. All the adjustments were putting SPD pedals on, measuring the top of the seat to the pedal distance, and off I went with the stock saddle.

Tzvia: My inseam must be ~30 inches (my imperfect measurement relies on my jeans... 30" is ok with sneakers, for any heel I use 32"). The biggest hurdle with the Vigorelli is that I find it uninspiring, kind of like the 1990 Ford Tempo I had in grad school. Given the imperfect adjustments I described, I am pretty sure it could fit better had the saddle been shifted forward by 1" (there was room for moving it forward almost 1.5-2").

The three bikes I rode had compact cranks. My first bike was also the first I tested (no experience, was looking for a cheap bike), so yesterday was both my first time using a compact crank and also the first trying SRAM. I noticed the big rings were of different sizes in the three bikes, so I'm most curious about any comments and suggestions you may have. A link to a 'gears and cranksets for dummies' guide would also be most welcome (I'll be studying Sheldon Brown's pages again). Then there is also the SRAM vs Shimano issue. A colleague who races said he recommends SRAM. I have no clue! I won't race, but I want reliable shifting when I need it and, most of all, I want my hands to be comfortable. The 'cockpit' in the Cervelo was also the most comfy yesterday, but I know that the handlebar would be swapped because it was too wide and I worry that the same model won't be available in narrower sizes.

There are hardly any hills in my typical rides (Evanston to Highland Park or Lake Bluff), but later this year I'll be looking for hillier rides in WI and IN. For the short inclines we have around here, when I'm reasonable shape, there is no need to shift down.