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Post being replied to

I agree with Dutch here, both on the Tommaso and by steez_nutz

that you should also check craigslist & ebay for used options. The one thing I'll add is that aluminum frames can have a harsh ride. Steel frames, while typically a little heavier are more durable and offer a more comfortable ride (especially at longer distances). The "aluminum is uncomfortable" thing is somewhat mitigated by the trend toward wider tires and tubeless wheelsets, though. One last thing, investigate options built around smaller wheels 26 inch and/or 650B. The historic standard for mountain bikes was 26-inch wheels, while road bikes are 700c (roughly 29 inches). The 650B is pretty much right in the middle, and is known as 27.5 on mountain bikes (which now come in 26, 27.5, and 29).