Nice looking bike, JJ! I'm currently looking for my first hybrid, and initially the Trek FX was at the top of my list. However, I'm now leaning torwards something slightly more robust, with a suspension fork w/lockout for reasons you've touched on - feeling every bump and crack on the sidewalk or rough roads. Riding in my local area, I find myself hopping curbs on occasion and riding sidewalks as necessary due to traffic; Not to mention, Pennsylvania isn't known for having great roads. I don't know how the FX would hold up to that sort of riding on a regular basis.

I do like how light the FX is though.