Love my Tri-Cross
I've got a Specialized Tri-Cross. I went through the same decision making process you're going through right now. This bike is considerably faster than my previous steed (a Trek 1000), and it's been able to take the abuse of my 225# self and all my gear for over 4000 miles without any problems. I just broke a shifter cable last week, but that's been my first broken part.
The only thing I felt compelled to upgrade quickly was the seat. I love my Tri-Cross, but I loooove my Brooks!