'Flat bar' buying advice sought please .

Hi there. I've been looking , for what seems an eternity, at Flat Bar bikes in my price range (between $1300-$1700)

Finally narrowed it down to four: Giant CRX1 / Felt SR71 / Norco FBR-1 and finally Bianchi Camaleonte.

All these bikes represent good value for money, however the Norco is last year's model (reduced from $2300 to $1700).

I'm commuting approx 40km per day, mostley on road but bike tracks too and I'm average build , height etc,.

I'm leaning toward the Bianchi and the Norco, purely because they're slightly different. The Giant seems to be the 'Toyota Camry' of the bunch, which I know is a good thing....but try as I might, I just can't seem to get excited about it.

Missed out on buying a new ('05 model) Bianchi for $999 by ONE day !!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

 

Bianchi Camaleonette, when I looked at those, they were 8 speed ladies bikes.

I agree on the Giant comments, FB bikes for the masses, Avanti too.

Felt, Orbea, all quality value bikes.