When I got back into cycling about may or june, I was on my old (90 or 91) mongoose mountain bike, with out suspension. I commuted on it a few times and decided I must have a road bike for that. After much thought and research, I was leaning twords a steel frame touring bike. I ended up with a Novara Randonee and I have only ridden the poor mountain bike two or three times since. I am very happy with my choice. It's smooth, fast ( well, much faster than a mountain bike) and well built. I'll be riding it for years.