Help me pick my second bike!

[JennK13]

I have a Giant TranSend LX 2008 model, the denim blue one (i didnt get the Women's one). I love this bike, it's great on any kind of terrain (have taken it on single track, but gravel trails, potholed roads, pitted and grooved dirts trails, fire roads - its done well on all of those). Its a light bike, aluminum, and I do carry it up and down stairs just fine - not sure how easy it would be with a step through frame since I shoulder mine
With its sloping top tube, you get a bit more clearance than other bikes.
It already has fenders and a rack, and the LX has disc brakes. If I were touring on it, I'd change the habdlebars to drops; eventually I want to switch them out, anyhow, along with the seat (I prefer a firmer saddle). The longest ride Ive done on it is 50 miles, with some pretty good climbs, and I was comfortable on it the whole way. The gearing is great, with plenty at the lowend to help you climb even with a load. Although, the stock wooden rack is super classy looking, I'd switch it out with something different that can accomodate larger touring bags - I'm not sure how Giant measured the holes on the rack, but I have to kind of tweak my panniers to get them in there (but they're wicker looking, and cute, and match my wooden rack!)
Ive ridden it in downpours, and it handles well, fenders keep the water and crap from flying back on me, and other than a little noise from the disc brakes, she stopped just fine when soaking wet.
I have found the components great, especially at the LX level (they made like 4 different models) and the trigger shifters are awesome. I was worried when I first got this bike. It was my first "nice bike" and I was afraid to take it off the street. I thought I would mess up the fenders or not have enough clearance on them when in the dirt. But I was afraid for no reason - Im pretty aggressive on all my bikes, and this baby takes everything I throw at it!
Just my experience since youre near a giant dealer
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