Thanks for your responses. They're very helpful. I think the mechanic in the bike shop assumed the road bike was my husband's and the mtn. bike was mine, and that of course DH would want something that delivered more speed.

This leads to a second question: do you think bike shops don't take you seriously? I'm 51, overweight*, & getting gray-haired. Seems like the young things at the bike shop aren't too interested in my biking needs. I've been biking over 30 years, and I *know* a 23 cog ain't gonna cut it for me. Betcha they'll try to talk me into it because they'll assume I don't know what I'm talking about.

*but losing! Lost 26 lbs. so far.