More test rides, and a steel option.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I just looked up the Jamis Quest Femme, and the stated weight is just 18.75 lbs, so I can certainly see that being a plenty fast bike! Wish the smallest size didn't have such a high standover (29.1") -- I'd be interested myself! It's a really pretty bike!

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...estf_spec.html

That is a high standover. I'm 5'0" with short legs. I have to shorten my petite pants I agree, though, it's a good looking bike.

I'd be willing to make a 60-mile special trip for a bike. That's nothing in the grand scheme of a bike's life. I'm just sayin'.....

Jamis or not, you asked about steel bikes and I felt the need to disabuse you of the notion that they're all heavy clunkers. As Crankin said, compare apples to apples.

And I appreciate everything you had to say. It turns out there is a shop only 45 miles away so I'm planning a little road trip.

Getting faster is up to you. Riding more, riding smart, riding intervals, and riding with people who are (slightly) faster than you will make you faster. A carbon bike that is 3lbs lighter than a steel bike will not do that all by itself. Nothing against carbon, just be cautious of believing that the minute you get a carbon bike that you will be fast automatically.

That being said, when I bought my steel Jams Coda Comp with 700x28 tires bike for commuting in 2003 to replace my 1986 steel Specialized Stumpjumper with knobby 26x1.5 tires, yeah, I cut 10 minutes off my 10-mile commute the first day I rode it. But that's a pretty extreme upgrade, and mostly had to do with the wheels, I suspect.

I do get a kick out of people who are sooooo concerned with having the lightest bike, the lightest components, even the lightest shoes...when really just losing 5-10-15 pounds, whatever, will make them much faster than a lower spoke count.

Ride lots of bikes and then make your decision.

I'm not looking at a carbon frame bike. Just the fork. I am not one of those people that runs out to buy the latest and greatest (or what the advertisers tell us we "need"). As a matter of fact, I'm a little rebellious in that sense. My cell phone is years old, and if they'd let me, I would still use my 35mm camera. I can usually see past gimmicks. If it's a "trend", I stay away This is why I'm doing all this research, so I make the right decision for me. And it's also why I sincerely appreciate everyone's input. I know "lighter" doesn't mean better or faster - that's up to me.

So, really, thank you. I'm finding the research fascinating.