OK, so I've been out of biking since... well, since Nixon was president. I've had a few back surgeries and that's left me back/hip/thigh sensitive. I've got lots of sciatica and neuropathy problems. On top of that, I used to be as much as 417lbs, but I'm currently 225-230 - about 5'10". Last year I bought a recumbent trike and tried to use it. The high bottom bracket vs the seat and the fact that all of your weight is pushed onto your lower back made me abandon all hope...er, the trike. I spent hundreds trying to make it right, btw.

So, with that history, I'm trying this year to move to a DF. I've tested, yesterday, a DS 8.3 and a couple Trek MTB's - which are not for me. The 700 wheel seems more to my liking. I went in with the idea that 1) I would do a combination of trail (paved, gravel, dirt) and road. So I figured I 'needed' a front suspension; 2) that disc brakes were a must (long wet winters here) and 3) that I wanted to stick with Trek and less than $1000 total.

So I like the DS 8.3 but I'm wondering if the 8.4 doesn't offer me a little more for about $200. I often get deep into analysis paralysis and while sitting in front of a monitor decide I 'need' more and more. I accept that but at the same time, I want to buy once (for at least the next couple years) and don't really want to get into replacing/upgrading parts if I don't have to. While I understand each to his own, is the $200 Trek

I'm not necessarily enamored of the hydraulic brakes, but I like the 950 cassette (from my trike days, good stuff) and I appreciate the grips on the 8.4. So I'm thinking get the 8.3, have the lbs replace the bars (and seat) and I'm good.

Then I saw the FX series. Given that I would rarely ride an actual 'trail', would the FX suit my needs? I see some use them for dual-sport while others say they don't handle well enough on less than hard-packed roads. Plus, some mention the frailty of the carbon forks.

I'm never going to do long rides - ever - so I'm hoping for 8-10 miles a couple times a week. If I am able to ride (my back lets me, in other words), I would like to ride the dirt fire trails and the city bike trails (Chico has MANY).

SO... sorry for the book, but with all of your vast experience and knowledge...would the FX work or should I keep the plan of the DS? Is the $200 in upgrades between the .3 and .4 worth it - or should I just replace bars and seat?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.