Quote Originally Posted by CyborgQueen View Post

Or you can keep this bike, and use it to improve your training, and save up for a road bike ( and save up for clipless pedals, shoes, saddles, etc as well), then when you get the road bike you'll have better knowledge of what you like and what you don't like and use your current bike as a commuter bike.

Heal up well!!
Thanks again, ladies. I'm still home sick, but it's been raining for two days here, so it kinda feels nice to be cosy inside.

CyborgQueen, that's the plan! I've decided to start looking around, and once I get a new bike, I'll keep the other to have on hand for visiting friends and family, or keep using it around town.

I have a professional fitting (Retul) scheduled for Saturday, which I figure is a good place to start prior to trying out everything I can. I know that sounds like overkill for a newbie, but I have issues with a deformed leg and ankle (minor but real), and once I get a bike, the fitting they'll do post-purchase to get things right is what I'm paying for; the before-you-get-the-bike fitting is just included in the price. I've been researching around, and from what I'm reading and looking at, I'm seriously drawn to steel. It seems practical for my needs: some commuting, no speed demon stuff, though want some speed, and I'm thinking mostly weekend warrior runs in the 20-30 mile range (I live one mile from the ocean with nice flat biking territory), and hopefully some longer club rides when I get better at this whole thing. I love love love the old-school aesthetics of the steel frames I'm seeing, and although I think they're attractive to look at, I haven't seen one of the carbon or aluminum models I've been researching that call my name. Of course, once I start testing bikes out, I may completely change my mind. The Jamis Quest is right at the top of my list, and what would be nice, is the the lbs doing my fitting is a dealer, so if I buy the bike from them, the fitting is free. We'll see. I'm going to take my time this time. My budget is between 2-3K, so I have some options.