Hello all. I am a forty-five year old relative newbie to bicycles living in the Chicago 'burbs. I have had motorcycles before (BMWs: F650, R1100RT, K1200RS), but am now down to one non-motorized two-wheeler (besides the two four-wheel vehicles). My bike is a Kona Cinder Cone upgraded with XT and Hayes 9 that is currently stuck on a CycleOps magnetic trainer. Some Serfas Drifters reduce the noise. A just arrived Brooks B17 saddle replaces the painful gel saddle I had the LBS install on purchase. What did I know? I had not read Sheldon Brown yet. Now, I am reading and learning all I can and am thinking of getting a road bike. I am not interested in racing, but would like a bike that is relatively quick that I could build myself up to doing a century on (more easily than on an MTB). I have read through quite a few of the threads on the first thirty-five pages of the Long Distance Forum and have found many choices. The Neuvation F100, Cannondale Synapse 5, Salsa Casseroll, a couple of Surlys (Cross Check and Pacer), and even some of the BikesDirect bikes are interesting. But, I am still trying to figure out what geometry I want and what bikes might meet that. Depending on what stuff I can sell, my budget will probably be somewhere between $1k and $2k. Value and comfort are more important than flash or speed. Didn't the Casseroll use to be a triple with fenders? The updated web site shows a double without fenders. I am not sure if that is an improvement or not. I like the Neuvation value, but am not sure if I can get a relaxed fit on it or if it is only an aggressive fit; still learning about geometry. I will likely ask John when I get more serious about a purchase. Now, I will go back to doing what I will do most here, lurkin' and learnin'.

Dimensions: 5'10" @ 205lbs (down from 237 lbs; looking to get to 150lbs)