I'm another FX and road bike owner. I haven't touched the FX since I got the road bike. I want some sort of mountain bike. I thought about putting a knobbier tire on the FX but it just isn't set up to tackle much at all. It's OK on the road, it's barely ok off the beaten path. It's not a jack of all trades, but rather sort of mediocre at a few things. I ride my road bike no matter what. It's much more comfortable, even to commute on. The flat bars give little to no advantage for me personally and actually feel awkward after riding the roadie exclusively. My vote goes to a road bike.