So, I'm shopping....

[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.

[velo]

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.

I ride occasionally with a woman who has the Specialized Vita. She is extremely happy with it, so I know there is at least one very satisfied customer for that particular bike. They look good, too.

[Geonz]

I will check!
I am going to test ride a 7.6 -- we had our bike club holiday dinner Sunday and my bike shop owner was there so we chatted about it... the 7.6 has a seat post with a little shock absorber... some of its reviews are pretty disdaining ("beginner-friendly but heavy") but we'll see. I should see what they say about the 7.5 FX... "heavy" to me is my cargo bike. (He also mentioned that its shock absorber is maintenance free and that, "just sayin'," that was important for me ... he wanted to know if I'd put the poor Gazelle into a salt bath and isn't sure it's rescuable...)
I am loyal to that shop (it's not that big a town; the other shop is just not as really into cycling, wouldn't give me a discount, and doesn't know my cycling hysteria -- i mean history ) and Specialized would be at The Other Place. I'd almost prefer an ugly bike (less likely to get swiped and more gratifying when I pass people )... but I do want to Think Beyond The FX...