We have a winner!

Bikes ridden, didn't make the cut, although ALL OF THEM WERE VERY GOOD: Trek FX 7.5, Specialized Sirrus, Trek 1.5, Cannondale Quick,

Regret that I did not ride: Trek Domane, Cannondale CAAD. By the time i made my decision, I realized that these were out of my price range and beyond my competency. It would have been wasted money.

Honorable Mention: Orbea Carpe, just a fun, simple, commuter/fitness bike. I may still buy one later. N+1.

2nd runner up....
Giant Defy 2.
I rode this bike last week, and it was the one that convinced me that I would be happier with a road bike than a hybrid. I liked the handling, the color, the balance. But I disliked the shop. Immensely.

1st runner up....
Cannondale Synapse 5 disc.
The only Raleigh dealer in Memphis doesn't stock Raleigh bikes. They special order them, after they try to sell you Scott or Cannondale. So I rode the best aluminum Cannondale in the store and I loved it. This may have been my favorite, and I might have bought it today. They even knocked $100 off the price (now $1350) to keep me from walking out the door. The problem with this shop was simply selection--the guy who worked with me was really good. I liked and trusted him.

AND THE WINNER IS....

Felt Z100.

It's not everything the Cannondale was, but the Cannondale I rode is NOT $600 better than this bike. It has Claris shifters instead of the Cannondale's 105, but I'm not sophisticated enough to know the difference. The saddle isn't anywhere near as nice as the Cannondale, but I'm getting a Brooks anyway. The disc brakes on the Cannondale were the best I ever felt, and someday I want them, but I don't need them now.

Everything else about this bike was perfect for me. Hammering up a hill "felt" great, it was so lightweight. The shifting was very smooth, and I had just ridden the Cannondale with the 105 less then an hour earlier. I couldn't tell the difference. My positions on the handlebars felt very comfortable, and that's because they spent 15 minutes adjusting the bike before they let me ride it.

I go in tomorrow at 2:00 to get fitted and select a few extras like pedals, etc. when it's all said and done I'll spend $1k, which will be $200-$400 less than the runners-up.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED TODAY?

I liked every bike that I rode better than what I have now. I could not have gone wrong with any of them, so if you're shopping like I was, don't beat yourself up trying to find perfection.

For your first major bike purchase, find a bike shop with people you trust and a bike that feels "good enough." Get it custom fit. For me, I decided that I wasn't experienced enough to make too many demands and expectations.

I am VERY disappointed that over 50% of the bikes I saw and liked on the internet are not even stocked by my local dealers. Even more disappointed that you cannot order direct from several of these manufacturers--they insist that you go to a local shop.

This is my new LBS. Victory Bicycle Studio on Vimeo