...trying to think of an alternative title to another "which bike should i buy" thread.

i'm a roadie convert (from comfort/hybrid mup rides). here is my intended use....

i have a getaway place near galena, il. about 50% of my rides there are on less-than-friendly gravel roads. riding my roadie is out. i just use my trek 7300 to ride there. and i'm slowly converting this bike to be more road-friendly (28mm tires, rigid seat post, etc.).

i'd like a bike that i can bring with me to places where i can go on rides that are on a combination of paved roads and really rough gravel roads. before i went on my trip out west, i was thinking a 'cross bike would be the way to go. however, there was a 1-mile stretch of gravel road in teton n.p. that bounced me around on my roadie so much that it makes me think i need something with a suspension.

what are your thoughts?

-should i just use my 7300 but convert it to a more efficient road bike? the downside to this is i don't like the riding position. i think i'll need to swap out my stem/handlebars. also, i'm heavy and my front suspension is too soft...even at the stiffest pre-load setting.

-would a 'cross bike be a good bet or would rough gravel roads bounce me around just as much? i guess the only major benefit would be a sturdier wheelset.

-should i look at mtn bikes? i'm not going to be rock-hopping or stump jumping. i'm thinking a pure mtn bike may not be for me since i'm looking for a bike that is road-friendly.



thoughts, comments, suggestions?