I test road a specialized sirrus and crosstrail. The sirrus was really uncomfortable. I don't think it was set up correctly for me but I was really stretched out. The crosstrail was awesome and really comfortable. But the bike will see almost all street so something like the sirrus or fx makes more sense. I'm going to go test ride the fx to compare.

Whilst you are test riding the FX, why don't you also try out the DS and give us a report on how the DS compares to the Crosstrail.

Will do. The sirrus had aggressive positioning and I was really bent over. Very stiff too even with the carbon fork. It was jarring. The crosstrail was nice with the suspension and it was a more upright relaxed ride.

If you are checking out the DS, you might be interested in my analysis of the frame geometry.

You might want to try a steel frame.

Yea that would be a good idea. Any flat bar or more upright type steel frame bikes that you can think of?

Jamis Coda, Jamis Quest (road bike but relaxed geometry road bike).

that at or find a 15 to 20 year old hybrid or hardtail steel mountain bike for $100 and build it up with modern components.

Philly215,
Have you had the chance to test out any more bikes?