I also have the $500 model that I got on sale for $435. I added some Planet Bike Hard Core fenders for the winter and a WSD Brooks saddle. So far the bike has been good on pavement as well as grass, snow, slush, ice, sandy bikeway and most other surfaces you might come across in the city.

Too bad it's not too great on really old uneven cobblestones that you find in more industrial waterfront areas.

Stacy