I'm currently commuting on a hardtail (2001 Kona Muni Mula) with slicks. I believe the stock bike weighs a hair under 27 pounds. The load on my back ranges from a relatively small camelback to a fairly loaded technical multiday pack (REI Talus).

I'm planning to acquire a road bike sometime in the next 6 months. I love cycling, and I've never even ridden one. My question to you all is, if you had the choice between said front suspension bike and a roadie such as REI's Novara Strada (can you guess where I work yet?), which would you commute with? I'm trying to figure out if I'll just end up commuting with the Kona in the end, considering the load and the sometimes sketchy city streets. Having no experience with road bikes, all I can do is speculate.

Thanks.

First, why not put a seatpost rack with a rack trunk on your bike to make your commute easier. I recently switched from a hybrid (no front suspension, but has a seatpost suspension) to a used road bike. I traded comfort for speed. All things being equal, ("The Forza" flat bar road bike) would be better for commuting. But if you want to get into club rides and explore the road bike scene in your area, then you are better off buying a pure road bike. I use a seatpost rack, frame bag, and handlebar bag on my road bike. They are all removable. The one thing I learn, and would tell people thinking about commuting on a road bike is, it is not a race. So why not set up your road bike to carry your gear. On the weekend, the rack, frame bag, and handlebar bag come off, and I put on a large seatpost bag for my weekend rides.

TE=harveyr]I'm currently commuting on a hardtail (2001 Kona Muni Mula) with slicks. I believe the stock bike weighs a hair under 27 pounds. The load on my back ranges from a relatively small camelback to a fairly loaded technical multiday pack (REI Talus).

I'm planning to acquire a road bike sometime in the next 6 months. I love cycling, and I've never even ridden one. My question to you all is, if you had the choice between said front suspension bike and a roadie such as REI's Novara Strada (can you guess where I work yet?), which would you commute with? I'm trying to figure out if I'll just end up commuting with the Kona in the end, considering the load and the sometimes sketchy city streets. Having no experience with road bikes, all I can do is speculate.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I a quick-release rack is one of my planned upcoming purchases, which I wil use with both bikes. Forgot to mention that.

Thanks for the input.

I'm currently commuting on a hardtail (2001 Kona Muni Mula) with slicks. I believe the stock bike weighs a hair under 27 pounds. The load on my back ranges from a relatively small camelback to a fairly loaded technical multiday pack (REI Talus).

I'm planning to acquire a road bike sometime in the next 6 months. I love cycling, and I've never even ridden one. My question to you all is, if you had the choice between said front suspension bike and a roadie such as REI's Novara Strada (can you guess where I work yet?), which would you commute with? I'm trying to figure out if I'll just end up commuting with the Kona in the end, considering the load and the sometimes sketchy city streets. Having no experience with road bikes, all I can do is speculate.

Thanks.

Hold out for the new Novara cyclocross bike. There will be two models, one really for racing and another that is more "all-around." It will be fast enough for road rides (especially with slicks) and you can ride most trails with 'cross tires.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=8395&highlight=REI

You can read up on all the joys of 'cross bikes on the Cyclocross Forum.

That definitely sounds intriguing. I shouldn't be able to afford it before September anyway. Thanks for the insight.