Buying a Bike

I am currently "in the market" to buy a new bike. My current bike is a hybrid Specialized Crosstrail that I purchased at Sycamore Cycles in Hendersonville. I have enjoyed the bike a great deal and have actually gained a new repect and appreciation for it's relative comfort and road stability and versatility on and off road. The issue is Weight. Just like me, I'd like my bike to shed a few pounds. I think this should help me keep a better pace on longer routes. I am getting ready for the Fletcher Flyer on June 1st. I will participate in either the Metric Century or the Imperial Century. Most likely the metric. In preparation I have mapped out and riden several routes on Ride with GPS including a 100 Miler, a Metric Century plus and another 50 miler. Last week I road with Brian and Mary to Pisgah Inn for lunch and found it to be the Most Fun But also the Most Strenuous of all these rides. I arrived at Pisgah Inn 18 minutes after they did (if Brian reads this he will know it to the second) but in any case I took a long time and worked my butt off to get there. Going back down was a giant slalom thrill ride but even there I keep my poles planted and by choice don't go as fast as the Brian Express. Conclusion, I need a lighter, faster bike especially on uphill and level treks but I am Not a Road Racer uphill or down.
I have now demoed several bikes including the Specialized Roubaix, the Trek Domane, the Cannondale Quick, a Raleigh, a Kona and a Norco FBR.  After trying all of these bikes the only one I actually liked was the Norco Flat Bar Road bike. I do not like riding in the drop bar position and I don't care if the drop bars provide multiple position choices, on the hoods, on the bars or down under, I simply don't like it. I don't feel as in control of the bike and when I get back on my Road Master - the crosstrail, I feel like I'm back at home. My unofficial time trials have not produced faster results on the other bikes. Now in fairness I have not tried the Specialized Sirrus - Carbon Pro was going to be my choice but it'e not available, nor the Trek FX 7.7 because it was not on the floor, but I have compared the specs and the Norco FBR1 has, as Nathanial at TTR pointed out, slightly better components at a slightly better price. In my research I have learned that within each line the price points cover a broad range based on the component groups starting with the basic frame Aluminum or Carbon. For example the Specialized Sirrus:  begins at $520 and goes up to $1200 for the Sirrus Comp Disc, Aluminum frame with some Shimano 105 components to the Sirrus Comp Carbon jumps $500 to $1700 and the Carbon Pro with Shimano 105 and Ultegra components for $3000. I was homing in on the Carbon Pro until I found out it was unavailable :(
But wait what am I paying for vs what do I really want? I want a quality bike that is lighter but the carbon frame will jump the price $500 plus to save less than one pound. Speaking to reliable service people and reading it appears that the law of diminishing returns on investment applies as much to buying a bike as making any other investment. You may get what you pay for but do you or in this case do I really benefit for the investment. All I want to do is get up the hill a little faster and keep up with my friends a little better and most of all get there in one piece. By consensus in my reading Shimano makes very good components and the 105, mid range level , is the best for the money.
So where does this leave me?
I want a comfortable bike, with a flat bar that is lighter than my current bike, has quality components and service I can trust at a price that I can fit into the monthly budget. I loved the Norco FBR 2 when I rode it and the FBR1 has better components at a reasonable cost. I used the Bikepedia website to compare the Norco FBR1 to the Sirrus Pro and found the FBR1 with slightly better components Sram Apex vs Shimano 105. Comparing the FBR1 to the Trek FX 7.7 and again, found some component upgrades Shimano 105 vs Shimano Tiagra. So to coin a phrase "The Bike is worth only as much as the sum of its Parts." And, as many friends and avid rider have told me, the most important part of the package is the "right fit" based on height and inseam.
So I am left with this; do I buy a bike I like from a dealer I trust (TTR in Greenville) with better components for a lower cost BUT not a brand name that is readily recognized like the big three Specialized, Trek or Giant? I have owned at least one bike of each of the three brands and liked each bike but none of them lasted forever. I think if I'm going to plunk down $1000 bucks rather than 2 or 3 it's worth the risk. Buy the Norco FBR1 at TTR Bikes in Greenville where we bought both of our Terra Trikes and keep on peddling. Now like Nike says Just Do It!