If you only had $1000 for a bike..........

[tulip]

Thanks for the suggestions and helping me narrow my choices. The Aurora is really cute and there's a Jamis dealer close to home. Felt and Giant are sold by the same LBS that's on my way home from work so I'll check them both out.

Jamis is one of the few bigger companies that makes really nice steel bikes. They make aluminum and carbon ones, too, but they do make some smooth steel bikes. I would not hesitate to get another one (mine is 10 years old and going very strong).