So I want to dip my toes in the water of road biking and commuting, my mountain bikes are just silly on the road, not the right tool for the job, but I don't rest want to go full spandex boy either.
I want to be able to put some miles on with comfort a priority over speed, and maybe also have a bike I can use on gravel paths with my kids.
I was thinking flat bars - or does that just limit me to mostly junky bikes?
Kona unit x, or maybe a few?
Some manner of surly or all-city?
Would prefer to keep it under 2k but would buy used to improve buying power.
Am I better off with a drop bar bike with more MTB-rider-friendly geometry?
Norco Search xr steel? Giant anyroad? Bombtrack hook ext or santa Cruz stigmata? (getting expensive there).
I guess everything is relative but what's our thoughts on a good compromise between not being too flimsy/uncomfortable/racy but also not being a slug on the road and basically a mountain bike?
Any thoughts much appreciated!