Grip twist shifters are bad, they just don't work very well and are a pain to maintain

26" tires are not as common as they once were.
27.5" were big for a few years but their days are numbered.
29" for a mountain bike is the way to go

The Trek Domane is Trek's go-to road bike for what you would want in a road bike.

The Trek Checkpoint is a good all-rounder that will cost you a little less. The Checkpoint AL-4 would be pretty hard to beat. For road/gravel bike that won't completely break the bank

AL = Aluminum Frame
CL = Carbon Frame

- 4 Serries = Tiagra Road and or GRX Gravel
- 5 Serries = Shimano 105
- 6 Serries = Shimano Ultegra
- 7 Serries = eShifting ultegra or dura ace

Disc Brakes, Absolutely awesome, must-have. Get hydraulic not cable. Generally, the Shimano cable disc brake calibers are not made to the same QC standards as the hydraulic. Don't get able-actuated disc brakes. the mechanics will back the brakes out quite a bit to keep them from rubbing...


For a mountain bike

Trek Marlin 5
or
Trek Marlin 6 $650

When I was selling bikes the Marlin 6 was the goto general purpose have fun mountain bike. It is hard to beat.


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For what you want to do a Steel frame is not that way to go.

Inexpensive Steel bike that you find at a box store = boat anchor

If you want to spend some money then you can get a really nice steel frame bike that will keep up with the plastic bikes just fine. It is all in the motor.
That said I have 2 Steel frame road bikes. I'm 6'5 250lbs. I've made a lot of friends who buy me food/drinks and draft/ride behind me all day just getting pulled along in my wake.

I have this one and I love it for messing around town. The shock is great for bumpy sidewalks, but not necessarily big trails. It also locks out if you are all road work.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/e...2889/?colorCode=grey

I also have a Giant carbon road bike, but use the trek for messing around town riding with my wife. Giant makes good bikes and has a similar one as my trek DS 2.