Hey there Eugene,

Sounds like you're in a rural area. It might do you some good to cycle on suburban streets after you get your bike. After becoming acclimated to suburban streets, you should gradually move in closer to a more urban area and ride on more urban thoroughfares. I believe this exercise will help to ease your fears of riding on the open roads.

Upon Cyccomute's reference to the 29'er MTB option, I think it would be best, if I were to remove the regular 26'er MTN bikes from the list. However, since your mud situation doesn't appear to be too bad, but is still present, I'll keep the fender and rack mounts, active.

The S&S couplings offer a very stable ride to the cyclist. There is no flex at the coupling juncture and the couplings are completely immobile, once secured. Quite a few bicycle companies use the S&S coupling system.

Here's some additional information with respect to the S&S couplings:

www.bikyle.com/s_&_s_couplers.htm

www.sandsmachine.com/p_i_seq.htm

- Slim

PS.

Please, try those drop handlebars real soon!

The Surly Long Haul Trucker has drop handlebars:

www.thatbluebike.com/2011/01/surly-long-haul-trucker/