So, I'm shopping....

[indysteel]

Does your local Trek dealer only carry Trek and, if not, what other brands does it carry?

[pinsonp2]

You might look at the Trek FX series. It has several levels from 7.1 through 7.9 (I think). As the number goes up, the component groups and frame material does too....and of course the price. They are often characterized as a flat bar road bike. The series also has some models with disc brakes. I have had a 7.5 for 2 1/2 years and find it to be fairly fast and reliable.

P2

[tulip]

Does your Trek dealer carry Jamis? If so, the Coda is one you might really like.

[indysteel]

You might look at the Trek FX series. It has several levels from 7.1 through 7.9 (I think). As the number goes up, the component groups and frame material does too....and of course the price. They are often characterized as a flat bar road bike. The series also has some models with disc brakes. I have had a 7.5 for 2 1/2 years and find it to be fairly fast and reliable.

P2

I think the OP's first bike was in the FX series. It remains a good choice though. I started off with a 7.5 FX myself in 2006. It seems, though, that in subsequent model years, Trek really started jacking up the price, but using lesser quality components at each price point.

[Geonz]

Yes, my fast bike was a 7500 FX. (I'm sorta thinking that as soon as I replace it, it will manifest itself, especially since I've nudged some folks in the neighborhood it may have migrated to and the timing was so opportunistic that it wasn't as likely to be a "grab some bikes to ship to Chicago to sell" theft.) The Trek shop has *mostly* Treks... basically, if Trek fills the niche, it's Trek but they also carry some quirkly Pugsleys andthe like. (GOing to go to the website and scope it out.) I'll get good advice from the staff (though right now they may not want to sell me anything; I've brought in two bikes this year that were in rather bad shape...)

[ZenBiker]

will they order something for you, and still give the 20% discount? I bought a Salsa Vaya recently and love it - see this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=49864

Drop bars but pretty upright geometry. It's comfortable, versatile, and zippier than I expected.

[Geonz]

I went down after work yesterday... too dark to test ride anything but I could look and talk and straddle. I first inquired about my Gazelle that's in for (major) repairs ... yes, they can get fenders and chain guard (need to ask about skirt guard, too) which are the parts most specific to that bike (which is from HOlland -- got it from a grad student returning).
I told him I needed to replace my "go fast" bike... and as we went towards the bikes in the back Peter (shop owner) called "7.5" - and I'm leaning hard in that direction. I will test ride something with drop bars but I think I like flat ones better. I took piano lessons and can't play piano for beans, but I do know how to relax my wrists so I've simply never had those kind of comfort issues.
I remember what Fritz used to say (co-manager who passed away a while back) when somebody was changing bikes -- what do you hate about your current bike, and what do you like about it? And about the only thing I didn't like about my 7500 was it beating up my butt on, say, the third long day of riding. The 7.5 has a carbon fork. That doesn't connect with my butt -- but should help with that, right?
Now, the thing I LURVED about the 7500 was the fast wheels, and they've changed 'em... but I can swap out for faster wheels.
A slight complication is that all of the road bikes I got on had handlebars too wide (I have skinnnnny shoulders). So to get an honest evaluation of how they feel, some swapping out will have to happen. (However, I also kinda like just never ever having to worry about handle3 bar tape.)
I also don't think that Johnny understood that while I need a "go fast" bike, I just need it to go pretty fast. I have no desire for an uber-fast bike; it's just that my other bikes are utilitarian and over 40 pounds (or the folder with fat tires). I'd rather be the 50-something lady goin' 17 miles an hour at teh start of the ride who will pull you home at 17 mph at the end of the ride (Of course, I'll bring a tailwind to help...) I don't need to be in the 22 mph folks...

[nuliajuk]

Other bikes you could look at are the Cannondale Quick and Specialized Vita. They are both flat bar road bikes. The Vita is a womens' model and the Quick comes in a womens' version, so should both have narrower handlebars.