I’m currently pontificating. I have 3 bicycles and want to go n-1. (Crazy I know, but hey).
I have a road bike which I only really use for a 20 mile commute and it’s far too nice for that as it handmade Italiana. A salsa ala carte built up as a ss which is my go to bike and a 20 year old Bontrager which rarely gets ridden but is worth little and will probably be what I keep.

I’m looking at getting a 29er to replace roadbike AND ss. Bike’s im considering are the Trek Superfly 9.6, Santa Cruz Highball Alloy or Salsa El Mariachi.

What’s the hives perspective on the options above? Does any of them stand above as a true utilitarian bike? I know they’re different material, but the Trek’s handling appeals to me most.

The bike will be used mainly for fast commuting with riding in tight woodland and for riding gentle trail centre (Hicks Lodge type of thing) with the kids.

Do I sell the roadbike and ss and buy one of the above, or, do I just stick 650b’s in the AlaCarte?