Felicity

I would love to hear opinions of the upgrade of the 7.6FX vs. 7.7FX. Same frame, almost no components in common. Also, any other candidates I would probably be happy I sat my butt on before forking over the dough?

Last bike was a Raleigh Rx 1.0 which I loved the frame fit but found the drop handle bars and gearing not to my liking. FX series seems faster and lighter.

Ray Dockrey

The only problem with flat bar road bikes is lack of hand positions. This isn't an issue if you are just riding short rides but longer rides can be a problem. Did they do a good fitting on you when you got that drop bar bike before? A good fitting can make all the difference in the world.

Felicity

The fit was great (Raleighs seem to fit me well even though I keep rooting for Trek) but I spend mostly use my bike for fast transportation and less for all out exercise. I didn't like the gearing/components so there was a lot of swapping that was going to have to happen. I am too tall for women's bikes and drop bars are so far away (major exception was the Trek WSD 57 I tried which was a dream). I enjoy riding for a purpose so I run errands - up to 30 minutes or so each way or ride to yoga class. Sometimes I ride just to ride but that doesn't make me feel like I accomplished something and then to just jump in my car to drive on an errand after spending a couple of hours on a bike always seemed totally out of whack to me. I will ride up a tough hill but only to get to something other than the top. Maybe because I did not get my first car until I was 24.....

Anyhow, I just found a great discussion on this on the 50+ forum and since I am 49 3/4 I don't think they will mind if I participate ;-). And you're right, fit is everything. I always get opinions at different bike shops because it is always interesting to get an additional perspective.