Hi,

I'm brand new to this forum so forgive me if this question has been asked many times before. I would appreciate some suggestions on a new bike

Usage: 5-6 days a week 10 mile round trip RAIN or shine. I live near Portland OR so rain is a part of life. I do a week or so of medium to light touring during the year 30-50 mile days. I usually run 14 - 18 mph. Last year I put over 3K miles on my bike.

Current Bike: Cheep '95 Shwinn Frontier LE Mountain bike with 26" Nimbus Armadillos and gel filled tubes. I keep the wheel ~80 - 100 psi. It has junky plastic fenders and a rack with saddle bags in which I keep my rain gear. The saddle bags stay on all the time except during the middle of the summer. This bike was 'end of life' 3 years ago but I've limped it a long because I didn't have the time and energy to research what I needed or wanted.

New bike Needs:

Rugged! I hate cleaning my bike. It gets filthy in the rain. I'll clean the chain every other week in the rainy season but every day is out the question.

I would like 700 tires. The new bike needs to accept quality fenders and a rack with saddle bags. I'll probably just transfer the rack and bags I have now.

I prefer the mountain bike handle bar stance but could be talked out of that.

While I can't say $ is not a consideration. I am willing to spend $ to get a bike that will meet my need for the next decade.

I'm more interested in Rugged over light but that doesn’t mean I want another pig like I have now.

Thanks for the help,
Jon

PS. Sorry if message sounds a little truss. I just commuted in a down pour and I'm a wee bit wet.