Originally Posted by Bvldari

What a great thread. Thank you all for sharing. This is my first post and looking for advice. I need to get a bike. I have not ridden in a long time but last time I was in it I spent a lot of time on a road bike. The reason I am back into biking is because my kids just learned how to ride and are now on 20” bikes and I can no longer run after them anymore. This, and I do like riding. 😊

My wife bought a Roll and I found it so comfortable that I also bought the Elite “male” version. I really enjoyed it for a few days until I rode it to work a couple of times and realized that the geometry is way too relaxed for how I like to ride (when not with kids). I since returned it and am trying to find a better fit.

I (mostly) narrowed it down to the Sirrus and FX4/5. I was leaning toward the Sirrus since it seems a bit more comfortable and stable while the FX seems a bit more “racy”. I was pretty much going to choose between the Sirrus Elite aluminum or carbon but my bike shop is pushing the X. I initially wrote it off because I disliked the handlebars and am worried about the relatively limited top end gearing. But after thinking about the type of riding I will be doing I am now thinking the 38mm tires may be a great idea and dealer offered to replace handlebars so that would be simple.

But since I started considering the X I am now wondering if I should seriously consider a “gravel bike”. It gets me in a more comfortable riding position but allows me to go fast on the road (and off). The Diverge in particular looks great. But pricing for the Diverge apples to apples looks quite a bit more.

My intended use of the bike is as follows:
- ride with my kids “slowly” but comfortably – will include side walk, jumping curbs and other silly things.
- short (5 mile round trip) but fast occasional commute to work;
- Occasional trails.

Finally, overall I am unsure if I should do an aluminum or carbon frame. I am pretty sure I at least want a carbon fork. On one hand carbon is super nice, on the other hand (especially) since a hybrid bike is a compromise spending a lot of money on an inherently compromised bike seems silly?

Any and all advice is welcome especially as respects the X vs regular Sirrus. Thank you.