Thanks for all the good info. Sounds like I should try several types of bikes and find a bike shop that is really interested in helping me find the right one with the correct fit. The two I mentioned above sounded like they were going to let me ride around in the parking lot, maybe I just misunderstood. I can speak a little more intelligently when I go to the next shop. I will explore the rental piece but the obstacles defined above may make that a challenge, I'll let you know. Another issue - how well do trunk mount 2 bike racks work? Are the bikes protected from each other? Do they scratch up the paint on the car? If I buy or rent I'll have to figure out how to haul them around (my wife already has a bike that she rides once in awhile, a Giant I found at a garage sale a couple of years ago, it seems to fit her well and she likes it for now, but, may want to upgrade her soon too).