not to suggest taking advantage of your local bike shops, but they are are probably your best resource for personalized information. I think it would be OK to go into a cpl near you & ask for advice & to look at some bikes. it would benefit them, even if you don't buy a bike from them, because they may have won a customer for other stuff like accessories & clothing & maintenance or repairs. you might even be allowed to test ride some bikes. the bike shop in my town also sells used bikes. but who knows, you might wind up buying a new bike. regardless, don't rule them out