Thanks Joe and RichC for your very useful comments.

Joe, I guess I didn't describe my reasons for the new bike very well - mainly it is the age of the gears, brakes, etc, and a bit of rust (on the bike, not me) and I would like to take adventage of the new technology and mechanisms, but why not go for a lighter bike as well, I thought. At 63k I do not weigh a bike down much, so can climb hills pretty well, and I take your point that lightweight isn't everything, but when I picked up the Trek 2300 in the showroom the other day it felt so much like it wanted to be ridden fast!! As RichC refers, I probably look forward to a greater thrill on Sunday training rides on my new bike, which would be my other reason for wanting the light road bike.

Saying that my old bike is comfortable is more to do with being used to it rather than a comparison with other bikes I guess, because I only have the one. I'm gleaning from your 2 replies that I probably should aim for 2 new bikes - one for comfortable commuting and one for thrilling road running. Now I just have to choose which one comes first!

Rich, I would be interested to know what effect the length of chainstay has on bicycle fit/performance - I am not familiar with the term. I am not much of an expert on bicycle fit, but am learning.

allanb