Originally Posted by
njkayaker
I think what you should consider is something that allows you to have the option of using wider tires (28 or 32) with robust wheels (this could be a cross bike or a tourer) and reasonable (low) gearing. True "road bikes" typically don't allow you to use tires wider than 25 mm.
Good point. I've heard (and read) from a variety of sources that the difference in rolling resistance between, say, a 23 and a 28 or even a 32 tire is surprisingly small. The rubber compound, for example, or the tire construction, can be more important that the tire width for rolling resistance. But there's a big difference in comfort and the ability to avoid flats between 23s and 28s/32s.