Originally Posted by TruF

Hey, Mojo. I should have left my bikes on my sig line. I ended up with the full carbon Specialized Ruby Expert that has Ultegra components. Love that road bike! But I'm shopping again in less than a year, anyway. Or at least thinking about it.

Originally Posted by BengeBoy

Last time I tried that argument it didn't work for me!

Originally Posted by BluesDawg

Sounds like you'll want something with average or higher head tube to make it easier to get the bars where you want them without going to extremes with spacers and stem angle. And you'll want something that can take slightly wider tires than a typical roadracing type bike. The obvious choices would be the Pilot and Roubaix lines from Trek and Specialized, and similar bikes from other makers. I think they call that type of bike "plush" in marketing speak nowadays. I would think a Serrotta Fierte like mom bought would be a good possibility.
Beyond the obvious choices, there are many reasonably priced frames that can be built up just the way you want them by your LBS or by a mechanically inclined individual. A few that come to mind given your list of requirements are Salsa Casseroll, Rivendell Bleriot, Soma Smootie ES, Surly Pacer, Gunnar Sport and I'm sure there are others. You can probably get a custom bike from some makers for not much more.
Some of the more road oriented cyclocross bikes might also be a good choice for you.

Best advice is to take your time, try a lot of different bikes and different types of bikes. No need to decide before you look and try a lot of different things. Have fun!

Originally Posted by TruF

Bianchi Eros. Mmmmmmm.... https://www.bianchiusa.com/06_eros.html

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Portland. Mmmmmmm.... https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...land/portland/

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Any more cream-colored bikes out there I can drool over?

Originally Posted by soma5

The Bianchi and the Trek you showed have significantly different geometry. Notice how the Trek's seat tube and head tube have shallower angles (are less vertical). Also notice how the tires seem to be further away from the down tube and the seat tube. The Trek is a bike that should provide a lot more comfortable ride than the Bianchi over long distances. It should also be easier to keep in a straight line - it likely won't be as "twitchy" as the Bianchi. I would say that of the two, it seems that the Trek would be a better choice for you based on what you write. The Trek has what we used to call "touring geometry." I have a bike from the '70s that is a thing of beauty and it was a road racing bike in its day but the geometry is more elongated like the Trek. I can ride it "no hands" for an indefinite time. It is rock steady and comfortable over distances. I have a bike that I got in the '90s that is a pure racing machine. It is like a sportscar: twitchy, fast, rewarding if that's the way you ride. I have to admit that I like the "sportscar" more, but I can still appreciate the qualities of the older bike. My guess is that the Bianchi would ride more like my racing machine.

-soma5

Originally Posted by Mojo Slim

Obviously, I didn't pay enough attention to the dates of the posts.

Originally Posted by Road Fan

I've been looking for perhaps a Ruby for Mrs. Road Fan (now she wants to go faster!), Road Fan