I don't know where you work, but if it is not acceptable to arrive covered in mud splatter, I think you should just get over your fear of roads. That terrain will likely limit you to 5-10 mph, whereas on a road, you could be going 13-20 mph.

If you really do want to do it all, the way I see it, you have three choices:

a) Get a cyclocross bike and accept that if the ground is muddy, you might either sink in or just lose traction. But then you'll have a GREAT bike for the road or harder trails. Here's my cyclocross bike, a Specialized TriCross Sport, which was around $1200 I think:







I've since ditched the fat, floppy fenders and put on properly snug-fitting road fenders. You can see that the tires are fat for road tires, and have a bit of lugging to them, so they're OK on hard packed offroad surfaces. But in loose stuff, they sink right in.


b) Get a mountain bike, (MTB) and you will be king of those offroad surfaces, but your road speed will be limited by the wind drag on the knobby tires and low inflation pressure and high rolling resistance. Don't plan on cracking 15 mph too often, if you go this route. If you go the MTB route, even if you fit fenders, you'll likely get your pants muddy from splashing around.

c) Get a hybrid with fatter tires than the cyclocross bike, but less lugs than the MTB. It is a compromise bike all around. The lugging on the tires tends to be more toward slick than knobby, so it is possible you'll wipe out in the mud.

I think you should get over your road fear and get a cyclocross bike. Then, you'll be ABLE to go off-road, if it isn't super muddy, but will still have a great tool for the road.

I went with the Specialized over a Surly because of the lighter aluminum frame and better local availability. Oh, and better paint too. I consider it a road bike that won't freak out with the occasional offroad stint, but not too hardcore.