Originally Posted by
slowpacer
If you like the Fairfax you can ask Marin the max tire width it can accept and swap tires. If you don't mind a steel frame and a little weight the Marin Muirwoods is a great heavy duty city bike but i don't know how steel frame would fare in Totonto's salty roads with snow and slush. It comes stock with 42mm tires and i think it can accept 2" wide tires easily if not wider. I swapped mine with 700x43 Panaracer SS tires and couldn't be happier.
Then there is the next level up - Muirwoods RC with 650B tires. That's great bike to consider
https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2021-muirwoods-rc
I think any hybrid with tire clearance for a 700x38 tire and a carbon fork would fit the bill for you.
My Cannondale Quick 1 with carbon fork blades currently has 700x35 tires and it handle potholes and crummy streets in Iowa very well. I was close to trying 38 and probably have clearance. It is a light and nimble bike that's fun to ride on mixed surfaces included singletrack, gravel, paved trails, and surface streets. I'd call it a Swiss Army knife. That being said, I do have an old Specialized Hardrock that I used for the more challenging singletrack rides with my daughter that's sporting some 2.25" tires to make up for the lack of suspension...
While a bit more money, the
Quick 3 is worth considering with an upgrade to 38mm larger tires. Essentially the same bike as the Quick 1 with lower level components. I'm sure the LBS would work to determine if 38mm tires would work.
The
Quick CX 3 might be an option for you - 40mm tires and suspension fork.The CX 2 would get you better components.
The
Trek FX was also on the radar when I got the option to purchase the Quick 1 from a friend. The FX3 fits your price range.
The
Trek Dual Sport 3 looks like a solid option that's similar to the CX 3. It also has a suspension fork and 40mm tires as marketed.
The
Specialized Crossroads 3 is in the same family as the Quick 3 and FX 3 - ships with 38mm tires and has a carbon fork.
The Sirrus X 2/3 has 42mm tires.