I currently have 2 bikes: a '94 Specialized Hard Rock FS, and a '99 Trek 730. Both are cro-moly and have pretty entry level components. Neither really suit my riding in 2011 though.
I'm married now and my wife likes riding the crushed gravel trails near our home at least once a week. The Specialized is a little too aggressive and the Trek gets scary if we come across any kind of loose gravel. I also ride with some friends both on and off road and find that the Trek is too slow and upright while the Specialized is just not very good on the road.
A trip to the local bike shop for some ski gear led me to start looking into a new bike. They first showed me some cyclocross bikes, but I fear that it would be way too fast on the road for rides with the wife and just not right on the gravel paths. This took me to the "29er". They sell Cannondale and I liked what they have to offer: basically a mountain bike with tires suitable for road or trail or even a tame single track path.
I plan on doing some longer rides this year like Pedal to the Point and some other touring style charity rides of 40-80 miles.
So I'm looking for suggestions on what to buy, or what to upgrade/change on what I have.
Help?