>>1742502I would get an endurance road bike. Carbon fork, claris or sora. Put a rack/basket on it and fenders if you ride in the rain a lot.
similiar, a 700c rigid hybrid, again 8/9 speed, so slightly above bottom level.
700c tires and a rigid frame will ride a lot better.
You would also go a lot faster if you bought some cone spanners, grease, and ball bearings, and overhauled your hubs, and upgraded your tires. Like i think you would be surprised how much faster/easier it would be on your current bike if you did that. And a new chain.
