I am speaking from my experience and observation, just as you are from yours. You are an experienced cyclist who went with a high end flat bar road bike, and I have no doubt that was the right choice for you. (not sure what Daihard's deal is. It appears that he is a relative cycling newbie who recently bought a Cannondale Synapse, which I thought was a drop bar road bike. But how old are you? (BTW, I am 48. Cycling as an adult for 17 years as an adult, except for a few years when my son was a baby and was busy with other things. Rode Schwinn and Nishiki 10 speeds as a kid, switched to a Bianchi hybrid for 12 years before switching to an old school touring bike, a 1985 Schwinn LeTour Luxe. Briefly went back to the hybrid after 2 years, then a brief flirtation with a Bianchi Milano IGH cruiser before buying my current ride, a Salsa Casseroll 2 years ago) Would you advise a fit 20 something female do the same as you? It is not my intention to provoke you. I have a cycling buddy who rides a cf Trek 7.9. It is, for sure, a beautiful bike. And it is the right choice for my friend, who is in his 70s. But it wouldn't be something I would recommend for a fit 20 something, even if she could afford it.

The thing is, OP has a max budget of around $800, so she cannot afford your ride, which, if memory serves, is a $3k bike. She is in the territory of either a mid range hybrid or an entry level road bike. So, a Sirrus Sport, FX 7.4, or alternately, Giant Defy, Jamis Quest Sport, or something similar.