Uhnga...
 

My rear derailleur decided it was going to pull a Regan and forget about two gears, so I dragged the bike down to the LBS to have it adjusted. I'm okay with taking apart most of my bike, but derailleurs still scare me; probably because this is (currently) my only bike, and if I had to be for more than a few days without riding, I'd go nuts.

Anyway; while I was there, I grabbed a Trek 2200 road bike and rode it around the block for a test ride. I have one word: Schweet.

I want. Makes my Crossroads feel like a Chevy Suburban, and Shimano's integrated-shifter thingamabobber is great beyond words. Riding my "utility" bike (e.g., the Crossroads is ridden through wet weather, dry weather, falling frogs...) is fun and all, but a good road bike on a good road is an experience that can't even be described...

With that thread title I thought you were trying to impersonate a motoring primate :D . I've often wondered how I'd go on one of those ultra-spanky road bikes. For the moment I is broke however, so I can but dream.

That's the same feeling I had when I did a test ride on my Litespeed. :D :beer: :thumbup:

It sounds like you NEED to buy that bike. ;)

Too true. It is a magical device that makes effort -- and, let's face it, 160 km at 30 km/h takes some effort -- seem effortless. Every time I ride my road bike, I marvel at the perfection that is a bicycle; and what's really amazing is that the bicycle attained that perfection even before the days of Bartali and Coppi -- everything else has been refinement.

Go out and buy that bike. You'll never be able to enjoy your Crossroads the same way ever again. You will always be comparing it. Keep the crossroads -- everyone needs a station wagon -- but buy the road bike. That's what credit cards are for, son...

I intend to; but the weather is pretty crappy this time of the year, so waiting a little bit won't hurt (I will /not/ ride such a sexy piece of machinery in the rain).

Matadon,
Give some other bikes a try before you make a final decision, be sure to try a steel frame and some Campagnolo Gruppos etc..
Ride and compare
Pat