Welcome to the 50+ and to BF. Back surgery veteran here, X3, two laminectomies and finally a 2 level PLIF with plates, cages and screws of the Ti variety, add in 13 abdominal surgeries and wrecked abdominal musculature and you have the picture of someone that would be put on a comfort bike by a lot of shops. I ride a road bike, 2012 CAAD 10 4, stem is not flipped up and is 15mm below the stock level on steering tube spacers. That is to tell you and back surgery veteran can comfortably ride and standard road bike. (Get ready for a few people to tell you about buying a recumbent bike, or you are an idiot, in their opinion.) As Stapfam said the finding a good LBS should be first in your shopping. they should be ready to listen to you and your needs, not try to sell you the most expensive road bike or tell you that someone over 50 needs a comfort bike type ride.

The Fuji Roubaix you rode is a really nice bike, before you buy this bike you should find out if the dealer is going to be your cup of tea and ride it more than a few minutes before closing. The idea of a cyclocross frame, wheelset and gearing is not a bad one at all. They have a more upright stem and head tube arrangement and can use a wider tyre than most pure road bikes. Renting some are not a bad idea for a long term test ride but in finding a truly good LBS you ought to ride several different bikes for longer test rides, first.

The LBS you choose should totally fit the bike to you, stem length and height, seat height and seat choice, pedals and shoes/cleats, bar shape and several other parameters. if the bike does not fit properly you will most likely either sell it to get another model/fit or give up bicycling out of frustration.

You have heard from some of our most knowledgeable members about fit, an LBS, possible types of bicycle and several other aspects of buying a bike. Read on for more advise here and begin the search for a good LBS that you will get along with well. Best of luck in finding the right bike for you and don't hesitate to ask any questions here or at bike shops.

BTW, we need pictures of which ever bike you choose, a first ride report and your choice of post ride Pie to celebrate. Oh yeah, schedule your colonoscopy and shingles vaccine soon.

Bill