What did you get, why did you get it, and are you loving or regretting it?

Got a DS 8.5. Quite frankly the only reason I bought it initially was because it was the only sporty hybrid available where I live. I wanted to take a look at Specialized Crosstrail, Norco XR1 and Giant Roam, but no LBSs here carry them. In fact when I asked for those bikes, the dealerships had never even heard of them (with the exception of Specialized, who were sold out for at least nine months).

I am loving the bike, though. It is enjoyable to ride, is fairly quick, and stops on a dime. And out of the bikes that I had on my wish list, I think it's the best looking of them; that understated flat black paint job makes this bike a real sleeper. It also looked very nice sitting in my kitchen for the past 6 months of winter we get here. I have no regrets other than my butt is pretty sore after taking the first bike ride since October 8 yesterday.

I got a DS 8.4 cuz of ^(Yes Deathly Hallows). Her bike review is what made me pull the trigger. Never looked back since. The bike goes everywhere i take it. The youtube videos prove it. Truly lives up to it's name, DUALSPORT.

I bought my '12 DS 8.5 last August and couldn't be happier.

I put 1500 km on it before I brought it inside for the winter. Right now it's on my trainer in the basement but should be outside in the next couple of weeks.

It's shifts smoothly, the brakes are perfect, and the riding posture fits me just right.

New clipless pedals, shoes, and a Selle SMP saddle are in the mail so I'm chopping at the bit for spring to finally get here.

So far, Trek is the only player in the game. How about you Roamers out there?

Another question for y'all Dual Sporters: Are you just using them for recreational rides or do you commute and/or run errands as well?

In the spring/summer/fall I will be on the bike every day. I ride to work but my commute is only a few km each way.

I took a different path to most, I did a total ground up build over 4 or 5 months. Starting with a JBC 1030gram frame every component was bought individually from many country's some were as new but used for a bargain price.
Having ridden an 09 Scott P1 sportster "better that the current one,cost cutting" for a while and liking riding it I wanted something unique lighter and faster "Gotta be different with everything I own" Yep it's a problem that costs me money sometimes and lastly it's all for fun a fitness. I will never sell it, even though i've had offers good one's too.

I ride strictly for recreation. I am very paranoid about leaving my bike anywhere I can't see it; as the LBS sales guy said, the best policy is if it's not in your house, it's under you butt. I would like to take it to work as it is less than 10 minutes ride away, but they do not allow people to bring bikes inside, even though there is lots of room and it would be very easy to set up a bike storage area for other employees (even with a fenced compound, two gates, and security cameras, there has been bikes and cars stolen there).

A few months ago I went into the bike store to get my first new bike since I was about 10 years old, I'm 18 now. I previosly had a Fuji odessa mountain bike so when I went to the shop the first thing they tried to push on me was the FX but i thought that a mountain bike would be better so i test rode a Marlin but the only problem was that it wasn't avalible in my size so I ended up going with the Utopia and really love the bike. It's quick and you can ride it on anything.

I bought a Cannondale Quick CX Ultra (now CX 1) in 2010, then a road bike in 2011. This year, I hope my wife will let me buy a full suspension MTB.

A hybrid is a good only bike. Hybrids with suspension forks can be enough for some MTBing, but you can also ride a hardtail MTB on the road. Hybrids aren't that close to road bikes... well, jbchybridrider's aside.

In hindsight for my needs I would've bought a 29er HT instead and wouldn't bother getting a FS bike now. I would also use a cx/touring bike for commuting. I commute on my road bike and wear a backpack.

Well, it's not a "ground up" but I took a flat bar road bike and turned it into a "poor man's flat bar cyclo-cross" machine. It's a left over Jamis Allegro 1, switched to MTB cranks and gearing, put on more treaded 700Cx38 tires for better traction in the dirt so I got a Allegro X dual-sport without the front suspension fork. It works well on dirt fireroads, mup-trails and even mellow singletrack in my area. It's LITE enough that it's still FUN to use on the road and with the "coupler/hitch", I use it for "utility" hauling, via homemade utility trailer as we are car-less.

Um, could you state what model you referring to? For those of us who lack psychic abilities or elephantine capacity for remembering...

Mr Deplume brought home a 2011 Crosstrail last week and is in love (his old bike was a 1991 Trek 800-- big difference!). But between work and college classes he's taking, he's only had time to put about 10 miles on it, all on streets/paved paths. I'll get a review from him once he's had some time to really try it out.

I've got what could be called a dual sport hybrid.
It hasn't got a name since I assembled it myself, but it's got an aerobar and cyclocross tires, making it able to go fast and to tackle some semi-rough terrain.
I use it for fall and winter riding mostly since I use my TT bike in summer.
This doesn't mean that I regret having it since I take it places where my TT bike could never go.

I have the DS 8.2. She's real fast on roads and nice on grass and jumping curbs and steps. I have to start to always bring a tire patch kit and pump with me. I flattened out about 10 miles from home yesterday and my legs are hurting today. I like to ride to stores and do some shopping and visit the restaurants and pubs about 15 miles away. I ride with a backpack and have loaded it with about 25 lbs no problem. I need to test it out on some trails though and see how she does. Have gotten a lot of compliments riding the bike which is always nice. I used to ride a Specialized MTB on the street as a hybrid but now I'm a Trekie.

When I stopped by the local Trek Store this past weekend, the sales guy listened to what type of riding I do and suggested the DS line. He said that the 8.2 is selling like hot cakes and that supplies are starting to run low, while they (the shop and the warehouse they order from) have quite a few of 8.3 and up left.

Actually got to throw a leg over the 8.3 that was in my size. I was surprised to find out it had 3 water bottle mounts. Also had lock out on the shock, but lacked the adjustments that the 8.4 and above offer on their forks.

Trek DS 8.4 owner here. Only 100 miles on it... but so far, so good. I realize it's not a great road bike or a great mountain bike or a great any kind of bike... but I think it's a pretty good all-round bike. I've had it on pavement and dirt and gravel and it handles it all. This summer, it'll be my 'touring' bike. It's going to pull a converted kids trailer with camping gear for a 4 or 5 day rail trail excursion. I'm also going to try it on logging roads and nontechnical MTB trails this summer. I can't justify three bikes (road, MTB, touring)... so the DS is a great option (for me).

wooo
trek 8.3 for me
I have no idea what Im doing but im having fun

Trek 8.3 here as well. 130 miles on it so far and absolutely love it! Doing a few 50-80 mile rides with it here soon so I switched to Bontrager Race Lite Hard-Case tires (700cc x 28). Pain in the rear to get the tire seating on the wheel....(are all tires that hard???) I am hoping that they can handle some of the lightly packed cinder trails in our local state park.... We shall see! I know I will just have to take the turns a bit slower. This bike has been a great purchase!!!

puncture-resistant tires often are tough to mount. smaller tires are definitely harder to mount than larger. so, no, it wasn't your imagination.

I broke 2 (cheap) tire tools in the process... excited to take it out today tho...and my thumbs are sore as hell now... haha

Noob here (to the forum and biking in general) just got a Trek DS 8.3 as well as the Neko S for the wife. We were looking for a fun and active hobby and biking seemed like a great choice. We're starting out just doing some recreational riding on paved bike paths as well as crushed limestone. We'd like to do some dirt trails and such in the future so we wanted some versatile bikes that can go anywhere (not too treacherous, though) and these seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Only had them a couple weeks but we are loving them so far!