Originally Posted by
LesG
The bottom line story I ended up with a 2019 Trek DS3 in silver. The shortened but longer story, I didn't want a road bike because I'm not comfortable with that riding position. OTH, I didn't want a cruiser or dutch bike because they're a bit too upright. Hybrids nicely filled the gap and what I wanted. I briefly rode 3 of them (would have liked more than a few loops around the parking lot). None were perfect (nothing ever is) but the DS3 came really close and felt the best. I've made 3 changes to it and, with those changes and 600+ miles later, I'm extremely happy with what I got.
Good choice. I have a Specialized Crosstrail, which is the Specialized equivalent of the DualSport. It's one of three (now two) bikes that I own, but sees the most mileage by far. I ride mainly on paved and unpaved rail-trails, but do make forays onto off-road trails and dirt roads and have done a few tougher, hilly "gravel grinder" rides. It's also been across Missouri on the Katy Trail and from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal trails.
And I'm not quite ready for an e-bike yet, but if I were getting one now it would be the Trek DualSport+.