Commuting - 04 Dr.Dew or 05 Dr.Dew or 05 Dew Deluxe

I'm having a hard time choosing between the following three bikes: a modified, but new condition 04 Dr. Dew (which could probably get for 650 to 700); a new 05 Dr. Dew (which could get from local shop for ~800); or an 05 Dew Deluxe (600 new, but could get for less if there are any 54s in a month or so). Here are the specs for each:

04 Dr.Dew - used
Frame tubing - Kona 7005 Butted Aluminum
Fork - Kona Project Two Disc
Headset - Chris King
Crankarms - TruVativ Elita Triple
Chainrings - 30/42/52
B/B - TruVativ ISIS Drive Team SL
Pedals - Shimano M520 clipless
Chain - CN-HG53
Freewheel - Shimano Deore (11-32 9 speed)
F/D - Shimano FD-443
R/D - Shimano Deore (RD-M510)
Shifters - Shimano SLR-440-9
Handlebar - Easton EA 50 Riser
Stem - Koski Stronghold Deluxe
Grips - OURI
Brakes - Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9 XC
Brake Levers - Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9 XC
Front Hub - Shimano Disc HB-M475 XC
Rear hub - Shimano Disc FH-M475 XC
Spokes - 14G Stainless
Tires - Forte ST Cross/K
Rims - Mavic A 317 Disc
Saddle - SDG - Kona Slim Jim
Seatpost - Koski Stronghold
Seat clamp - Kona clamp
Color - Dark Blue
Fenders - Planet Bike

05 Dr.Dew - new
Frame tubing Kona 7005 Double-Butted Aluminum
Fork Kona Project Two Disc
Headset Aheadset STS
Crankarms TruVativ Elita
Chainrings 48/38/28
B/B TruVativ ISIS SLLT
Pedals Shimano M505 clipless
Chain Shimano CN-HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore 11-32 9 speed
F/D Shimano FD-R443
R/D Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano SLR-440-9
Handlebar Kona Aluminum Riser
Stem TruVativ XR
Grips Kona Jack****
Brakes Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9 XC
Brake Levers Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9 XC
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes Stainless 14G
Tires WTB Slickasaurus 700x37C
Rims Sun ME14A
Saddle WTB Rocket V Street Smart
Seatpost TruVativ XR
Seat clamp Kona Clamp
Color Radar Green/Black

05 Dew Deluxe - new
Frame tubing Kona 7005 Butted Aluminum
Fork Kona Project Two Disc
Headset Aheadset STS
Crankarms TruVativ Touro
Chainrings 48/38/28
B/B TruVativ LE
Pedals Wellgo LU-A9 with clips & straps
Chain Shimano CN-HG50
Freewheel Shimano CS-HG40-8, 11-34
F/D Shimano FD-T-301D
R/D Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano Rapidfire
Handlebar Kona Aluminum Riser
Stem Kona Control
Grips Velo
Brakes Shimano Mechanical Disc
Brake Levers Shimano Rapidfire
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes Stainless 14G
Tires WTB Slickasaurus 700x37C
Rims Sun MZ 14
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Seatpost Kona Double Thumb
Seat clamp Kona Clamp
Color Black

It seems like the 04 Dr is cool and would be nice to get. If that doesn't happen though I'm stuck between the the Dr and the Deluxe again. I'm having a hard time convincing myself that the better specs are worth it for me. Like there aren't any hills here, so is 9 really that much more useful than 8. Dudes at the shop though push the Dr as being much better. They point to hydrolic over mech for breaks, better shifters, different stem, bla bla. I just don't know what to do. Thanks for your input.

Come on now, you narrowed it down that much and you still can't decide? They're virtually identical - roll a die and let fate decide!

Get the old Dr. Dew - virtually the same thing as the new one, better cranks and brakes than the Dew Deluxe, and free fenders. No brainer.

You can't go wrong with any of the three, imho. Personally I'd go with the used Dr, after one ride your new bike will be used anyhow. I got a Dew Deluxe for commuting and I am very happy, but for that purpose alone the plain old Dew would of been fine. And yes there are big ass hills + wind on my commute.

I've got the Deluxe,and love it. I personally couldn't see spending the extra dosh for what basically amounts to hydraulic brakes and an extra cog out back. Use what you save for accessories.

Thanks very much for your thoughts. I'm getting one of the two tomorrow. Hopefully they (dudes at the shop) will be willing to work something out. Anyone seen 06s yet?

Haven't seen any of the new Kona's yet, my LBS has the new ones in stock but haven't been by to see them. Have only seen what is on the Kona site.

Let us know what you end up getting. Good luck!

I've seen the Kona 2k6 page so far at:

http://www.konaworld.com/2k6/preview/

I went to shop today and argued for a bit. The owner, who is I should say is very nice and very cool, wouldn't budge on the price of his remaining Deluxes, the one 54, which has yet to be put together. This makes some sense since someone here is bound to purchase it at full cost.

In terms of the Dr., though, he was willing to go to 825 for the only remaining 05 54 cm that he has. It seems like a nice way to get a new bike for nearly 20 percent off.

But after thinking on it more, reading here, and talking with friends about it, as well as trying to not listen to the marketing of the shop people, I think I'll hold out for a 06 Deluxe, which means I’m bikeless for another month. Although the specs show that the 05 and the 06s are nearly identical, I prefer the blue. Plus if you're going to pay full retail price for something, why not have the latest edition.

Is it true that the markup on completes is only 20-30 percent, whereas the markup on parts is much higher? So that, for example, an Easton bar might cost the shop a few dollars, but they can sell it for five times as much.

Thanks again.

Nah,mate,not me. I like my black better. Plus I don't like those tires. The '05's Slickosauruses roll real smooth.

As for parts;when I was looking for fenders for the Sirrus,I got a chance to peak at the computer screen over the parts guy's shoulder. The markup for a set of Freddy Fenders was 100%! So I'd assume there's a pretty good markup for most other bits as well.