To Bike Forums, Latercar!

We will try to answer all of your questions to the best of our abilities.

From what you've described, I can only recommend the Jamis Coda Series.

Both the Jamis Coda Sport and the Jamis Coda Comp are well within your budget. The Comp comes with better componentry (but not that much better). Both can be equipped with rack and fenders, because they come complete with ample amount of eyelets.

Each comes with stock 32mm wide tires, but can be accomodated with 38mm tires.

You don't really need two different bikes with the Coda. You don't need one for the winter and one for the remaining seasons. The Coda is a universally all-seasons type of bicycle. The only change that you might make, would be to go from wide treaded tires in the winter, possibly back to slick narrow tires for the remaining seasons.

The Jamis Coda Comp is an award-winning bicycle. It won Bicycling Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for being the best flatbar hybrid of 2011. The Jamis Coda Comp is fast, smooth, agile, and versatile. Instead of spending more money for a "winter" bike, IMO it would be more prudent to invest an extra $200 or so towards the Jamis Coda Elite, which comes complete with Avid BB 7 disc brakes. The type of brakes that will most certainly be appreciated next winter.

The Jamis Coda Elite
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codaelite.html

- Slim

PS.

When you buy a bicycle made of chromoly steel, it's not just a purchase, it's an investment!