This is all good to hear. Sounds like I'm headed in the right direction. Just put 14 miles on my Pista yesterday, which was more than my normal 2 mile work commute. Clocked 16.5mph average and had a blast, but I got home thinking, "That probably would have been AMAZING on a better bike." I do appreciate my $200 Pista, but I hope to be a rider worthy of a better bike soon.
Btw, for a city ride along a busy residential bike lane (all flat, no hills), how is 16.5mph? I have no idea how fast most people ride.