Hiya Spingirl. I'm fairly new to cycling but the more I ride, the more I see that the usual advice given around here has many thousands of miles of wisdom behind it. That advice is always the the best bike is the one that fits best. If we are to ride, say 10 of 15 miles, then fit is not crucial. On the other hand, if we are really taken with cycling and begin to ride longer distances than we ever imagined, say 50 miles or more, then fit does become, not just important, but crucial to comfort and enjoyment. I hope you have a good and reliable bike shop to rely on. My guess is that most of them do their best to put customers on the right bike. I suggest you contact a local bike club, maybe through their web site, and inquire about good LBSs in your area.