Originally Posted by
canklecat
... a friend loaned me his Trek R200 ...
That. Was. Terrifying...
I feel for ya. I was never very impressed with the R200, although your first experience with it was worse than most. Your problems sound like a lack of sufficient guidance along with some mis-adjustments. Long wheelbases generally have lower seats and sit more upright, both of which make learning easier. That's probably why TourEasys have always been so popular.