Yea your totally right about the test rides, I am going to take my time and really get a feal for each

speed is what I want, plus touring capable is a major plus. I have my converted mountian bike commuter for winter time which is still a serious possibility for keeping a road bike on the road for close to 7 months of the year, which is excellent for around here.

Our weather is just like bostons, changing every 2 min, wet/cold in the winter, roads are awful 80% of the time, esp this time of the year. Yet with a rodie commuter 7 or 8 months of the year is a very real possibility.