which bikes should i look at?

[Owlie]

Hm...I'm not really an aggressive rider, obviously, but what comes to mind are:
Specialized Amira
Trek Madone series (I'm not sure how aggressive the geometry is, though.)
Giant TCR Advanced W (not sure how "W" they are, since Giants have relatively long top tubes, but go ahead and test them)
Cannondale Super-six Women's

I only really know of the big 4 because that's what the shops near me carry. DBF's a Cannondale fanboy and would tell you to also look at the CAAD 10. It's aluminum (carbon fork), but he says he felt a real difference in the ride after moving to the higher-quality tubing in his Cannondale. (He has an R2000, and moved from a Giant OCR3.)

[kermit]

Try everything! you will know the ONE!

[phango13]

Yes, I expect I'll have to kiss a few frogs before finding the right one! I was hoping to have a somewhat targeted approach by gathering as much input as I could from others experience, so please keep the makes and models coming!

Thanks again, I really appreciate the feedback....

[Owlie]

There's also the Jamis Xenith Femme series.

[kermit]

You and I are pretty similar in size, just don't limit your search to womens specific. I ride a unisex 54 Specialized roubaix pro and it fits me like a glove.

[Owlie]

I came up with the women-specific suggestions based on your long legs/short torso comment. (I'm the same way...) But all of these have a similarly-named unisex equivalent. (Except the Amira. I think its equivalent is the Tarmac.) Go ahead and try those too! (

[kermit]

Good call, I never tried the womens models as they were so scarce. If they have them...try them, it might be easier then going through shorter stems.