Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum.

I started biking almost a year ago, and I absolutely love it. At first I got the nicest bike that I was willing to pay for without knowing if I was going to like this or not. It was a Giant Escape.

Overall it's a really nice bike, I use it every day to go to work (about 4 miles) and now I started going on the weekends for 50-60ish mile trips.

I was super happy, but there are two things that I don't love: I sometimes go through not so nice roads and I can feel everything in the road. And.. I would like to go faster some times (it is pretty fast, but.. and I know it mostly depends on me but.. could I gain some speed from another bike?)

Now I know that I love the bicycle and I'm willing to spend a little more if it makes sense, I did a test ride on a Diverge Comp E5 bike and it felt amazing, so I'm considering that.

I'm also considering the Diverge Comp, I like the hydraulic brakes, and some of the parts look nicer (I like the saddle, and carbon bikes sound sexier). It is expensive, but if getting this will keep me a longer time without wanting to change bikes it might be worth it.

Trek CrossRip 3. It's not as expensive, has hydraulic brakes. Or one of the giant anyroads.

If you can let me know what you think it would be very much appreciated!

I don't think you can fix both problems with one bike - a bike with wider tires or suspension will help with the rough roads; a lighter bike with thinner tires will help you go faster.
I had an Escape 2 for a while; nice compromise between speed and handling rough roads. I switched to a Marin Fairfax with 32mm tires - I'm faster but feel the rough road more.

you're asking a bunch of addicts if you should have more?

definitely buy another bike!

Keep the Giant as a commuter. Put the largest, supplest tires you can find on it. And buy another bike for long weekend rides.

I like caloso's approach. Consider a road bike (10-11 speed, dropped handlebars, narrower tires) as a good bike and put wider tires with lower pressure on your hybrid. Aluminum (your hybrid, the Specialized Comp E3 and the Trek all are) tends to have a stiff, harsh ride. Both carbon fiber and steel less so. Now, going to dropped handlebars changes how you sit on the bike and can make bumps better at the seat but worse at the handlebars. CF forks (all of thise bikes) will help. Steel frames, especially ones of lighter, higher quality steels are well known as decent rides over rough roads and now there are decently light steel frames on bikes that are not expensive. They will not have the very light parking lot "wow" factor of carbon fiber, but many make really good all day rides, especially on roads that are less than perfect.

Seek out a good bike that can handle 28c tires. Good 28c's are barely slower than the very best and do wonders on lesser roads. My Peter Mooney, a moderately light all steel bike, currently sports Vittoria 28c G+ tires. Expensive, but the ride of dreams, even on very mediocre chip seal or old rural asphalt. (And not shabby whrn the pavement ends.)

You might look at "endurance" bikes. Now take that picture with you and if you find a steel bike that matches that "picture" and you like the ride, buy it! (It might not be new or cost a lot.)

Ben

I commuted on a suspended MTB and then started doing 100km (60 mile) rides on the weekend and I didn't find it hard. I say use what you've got.

Take a listen to this podcast about tire pressure.

Like 79pmooney mentioned, I think the class of bike you want to investigate is "endurance" bikes, similar/same as "gravel" or "cyclocross" bikes. You want clearance for wider tires and lower pressures. But for max speed you need to cheat the wind, so you need drop bars so you can ride somewhat aerodynamically.

For a while my dream bike was a Volagi, but looks like due to a tragic accident of one of the founders, the company is done. Hopefully they'll be able to come back, or maybe I can find a used bike/frame in my size some time. Not that many out there...

+1

+1 more. Carbon bikes are fine for the "play bike" role, but you wouldn't want to clamp a rack onto a lightweight carbon frame.

Yes, there are workarounds like seatpost collars with rack bosses and support leg extensions that let you use the hub/QR to support it, but if you're able to, having both a utilitarian weekday bike and a sunny weekend bike is the way to go. N+1 and whatnot.

"Do I need a new bike?" Hell yes!

Marc