After a year of no biking (running, hiking or climbing) due to a back injury, I've finally decided I need to consider a flat bar road bike. After test riding numerous, I'm down to two very different bikes that I like the geometry on: Cannondale Road Warrior 1 and Marin Lucas Valley. The comfort level is a close call. My current bike is a '98 Cannondale, so that brand is tried and true. Any suggestions/advice?

Maybe look at a Trek FX?

Thanks (I think) - took one for a test and it's now another contender. Waiting for the fitter to get back to me with some questions. Do you have an FX and, if so, how do you like it?

Heard good stuff about Specialized Sirrus too, they even come in CF frames.

I have a 7.3 FX that I use for short rides. I would go with a 7.3+ model. Shifts well. It's heavier than a typical road bike (~27 pounds), but it comes with some low gearing to make up for that.

I took the 7.3 out for a test ride. For better or worse, I live in an extremely hilly area and really want a lighter bike. I'm either going to wait for the 7.6 or, I've found a store that had modified the 1.5 to a flat bar. It was a sweet ride. In the mean time, I've rigged my hubby's old Sirrus Sport (talk about a tank) so I have something to ride to cut down on my carbon footprint )

Thanks on the input.