Help! I need a new bike!

[monster]

OK, I am fed up to the back teeth with my 15yo mass production British Raleigh Mountain bike. It's wearing out and it weights a ton.

I went in my first bike store this evening and the guy recommended a Cannondale Road Warrior 500 @ $800. seemed nice enough to ride and certainly nicer that the couple of cheaper bikes I rode, but they're all so different from my current tank that it's really hard to tell.

Anyone have any opinions on this bike in respect to my needs/use and what is a reasonable amount to spend? I'm not loaded, but this time I want a bike I'm going to love. And will last.

I ride most days -but that's just to the bus stop with the kids. (And then back with two fold-up scooters in my saddle bag and wheeling one bike). Some days I ride to the gym a mile away. In the summer I will ride to the pool once or twice a day. I ride often, but not far. Sometimes we go for longer family bike rides. Sometimes I'll do about 10 miles with friends. I'm no racer. We take our bikes on vacation where we'll ride on dirt roads and grassy or woodland tracks, but nothing very rough. If I get a nice bike and really enjoy it, I might look into doing it a little more. ((I'm sorta thinking triathlon, but that thought scares me right now and I wouldn't want to buy based on that wisp of a notion.))

I'm 5'4", 170lb, muscular, and I want a bike that I'm going to be happy with for a long time. I don't like to be terribly upright, but I don't really need drop handlebars. I occasionally like to be a daredevil and ride without hands. I like this not to be an effort as it is with my current bike.

I think I don't want to spend this much money, but I certainly preferred this bike over the cheaper ones and the few reviews I've found on the internet have been favorable.

Your thoughts? Any advice on how to proceed in my bike quest? I like biking, it's my preferred mode of transport when practical and once my kids are in full-time school (September), more places will become practical -. But $800? Is it worth it for my level?

Have at it and thanks......