Welcome to the forum.
Let me touch on the noisy/clunky shifting of those bikes. Most likely the power/speed that you were applying at that moment. All bikes are capable of "talking back".
There may be a lot more comfort in finding a person locally that might go along to view a few bikes, and shops with you. A younger family member of a close friend, etc. Don't rule out a good used bike. Your new mentor could be valuable here. Also run it by a shop you have gained a warm comfy feeling about, for an annual service/tune-up.

Best wishes, enjoy this next bike.
P.S. a good one will lead to another, even better.



-Snuts-