I stopped at another shop over my lunch and am begining to think that a cyclocross may be my best choice. I saw the Trek XOs and the Specialized Tricross and quite a few Cannondale 29ers. Seems like everyone wants to sell me a mountain bike...

Now... the kicker: I did a quick search on used bikes and I found a nearly new Tricross that *may* be in my size for an incredible deal (ie about 1/3 of original cost)--but about two hours away. I pulled my road bike geometry and the geometry is quite similar. I have called around to local (ie less than two hours) shops to see if anyone has one in stock, and NO ONE does. :-/ I don't know what to do. At the price, I might just snatch it up, ride it a little, and then resell if it really doesn't fit.

I'm going to start a new thread about the fit thing because I'm veering a little off course from the original purpose of this thread.

Thanks!!