I am a former banana slug and current vaya owner. I wish they occurred together like the op. I am very jealous. I use my vaya for communuting in dc along the rock creek trail, capital cresecent trail, and urban streets. It is definitely slower than the road bike, caad 8, but is surely more comfortable with the rack and pannier. It came stock with 43mm tires. Will going down to 35 make it more zippy? Any recommendations for tires?