I started my move last summer from mountain bike(it got stolen) to hybrid with a DS 8.3 thinking I needed the suspension with lockout as I would be doing some trail riding mixed with easier on road cycling. My old Spec. rockhopper never had suspension and it seemed attractive.I found what I really wanted was riding on the open road and added one and then another road bike which is all I'm riding these days. I take my road bikes with 25c tires on local trails and they work fine for me although nothing approaching steep or rocky off roading. I'd think about a hybrid with rigid forks as the weight penalty from the front forks pushes my DS to a bit above 30 lbs and the sus. forks that come on the DS series are pretty light duty as well.