**Wants**: I am looking for a more relaxed ride to cruise around town, ride to the grocery store, or downtown (5-15 miles roundtrip). Something I can mount some fenders and racks to, but isn’t too sluggish. Wanna treat myself and buy something new for the first time as well.
**Location**: Minneapolis, MN area
**In the running**: I checked out some options at some local shops recently and have ridden 3 I have quite liked:
* [Marin Kentfield](https://www.thehubbikecoop.org/product/marin-kentfield-2-381925-1.htm) ($679): alumimum frame, mech disc, 38×11-51 gearing, 10sp AdventX
* This felt VERY upright, and steering was almost a litte twitchy at first. Got used to it and it felt pretty nimble.
* Aesthetically, my 2nd favorite.
* [Marin Muirwoods](https://www.thehubbikecoop.org/product/marin-muirwoods-401481-1.htm) ($899): steel frame, hydraulic disc, 38×11-51 gearing, 10sp AdventX
* Bars for this one felt wider, and made me feel a little more stable overall, less upright riding position as well. Very smooth and felt lighter than I expected. Brakes obviously felt great.
* Plain solid black, but a blank canvas honestly.
* [Surly Preamble](https://www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/product/surly-preamble-flat-bar-421525-1.htm) ($810): steel, mech disc, 40×11-38 gearing, 9sp Acolyte
* This one felt very similar to the Muirwoods in terms of position and comfort, but the shifters definitely felt a bit lower quality. About as heavy feeling as I expected.
* Love the color and the less slanted top tube.
**My thoughts/internal monologue**:
I was pretty keen on getting a steel bike, and both felt pretty good, but the price on the Kentfield is a draw. Objectively the Muirwoods has the nicest components, but is it worth the significant bump over the Kentfield? And for not much more than the Surly, the components seem like a better deal there too.
On the other hand, I like the shape and color a bit better on the Surly and I’d obviously save a bit of money compared to the Marin steel option. Additionally, the felt difference wasn’t huge and all of them overall felt solid. Was expecting the Surly to be a bit clunkier and the brakes to feel horrible based on what I’ve previously read.
**Experience**: I feel pretty competent as an at-home bike mechanic, and have changed/upgraded drivetrain components before, but never dealt with hydraulic brakes. Have replaced pads on mech disc brakes once, but this would be the first bike I own with discs. My other bike is an old cyclocross bike set up for some gravel and mostly pavement. This is more for longer solo or group rides and going a bit faster.
by goose_hat