OK, here's what happened...I went to our closest LBS and saw the Marin Larkspur, a step up from the Kentfield. It looked nice, but I was feeling too shy to ride it (in a busy urban neighborhood) so we went to a shop farther away (suburbs...big parking lot!) where I rode the Trek 7.2 FX WSD. It felt pretty good, but I just couldn't get past its looks...if it hadn't been for those dumb flowers, I probably would have bought it. So, back to the local shop to take a closer look at the Larkspur. When we got there, someone else was looking at that bike, so while waiting, I browsed...by the way, my husband says it is a Giant Sedona that I didn't like, not the Suede. Anyway, there on the floor was an extra-small Giant Tran Send LX. No whistles, but it does have a bell, fenders and rack. The helpful salesperson said, "While you're waiting, if you'd like to try it..." So out to a nearby parking lot I went. It wasn't too upright, not too heavy, easy to handle, positioned so I didn't feel like I had to jump off the seat when I stopped...in short, I never rode the Larkspur, and I rode the Trans Send home. OK...I walked it up one hill, but I rode it MOST of the way home. It's as practical a bike as can be, but it doesn't feel stodgy. I think it will be all the bike I'll need for a long time. Oh...and it's not dopey looking.