OK - some quick comments after spending some time at many local bike stores :

* Scott Sub 10
** I tried this out at local REI and was extremely disappointed. On paper it looks competitive with the Giant Seek/Felt X City/Kona Dr. Ranges but it handles like an absolute tank. On the flat it was OK, but any kind of bumpiness and it did not feel stable or comfortable in any way. Maybe just me, but I didn't enjoy the ride. The white finish is also really quite jarring - too much white, too easy to stain, and too much of the trim is white including a weird vinyl-like saddle. The brakes felt very mushy and the bars were uncomfortable. I test drove in the best size for me also, so there was no frame size mismatch.

* Kona
** My local Kona dealer hadn't even heard of the Dr. Fine. Sigh, as I don't have many Kona dealers locally. Apparently they could order, but it would require a deposit and a semi-firm commitment. This is a pattern I found in many local bike shops - an unwillingness to bring in a bike unless they are relatively sure you are going to buy it. But you're not going to know that until you ride the bike. I forsee big problems for B&M stores unless the model evolves to make it easier for the smaller stores to take even temporary delivery of bikes.

* Giant Seek
** I saw the Giant Seek 0 in a size too small for me - looks gorgeous - but tried a larger Seek 1 from 2009 as it is apparently similar to the 2010 Seek 0 in many ways. Anyways - on paper this is similar to the Scott Sub 10 but it handles *WAY* better. The '09 finish is white which I don't care for, but if I had a choice between the Scott and the Giant I'd absolutely go for the latter based on riding last years model which I am sure you can find on special

* Felt
** I tried the 2009 X-City 2 once more at a local store. It really is a nice light ride and surprisingly fun. You can pick these bikes up at a really reasonable price and, as I say, they are a lot of fun with a great frame and reasonable components (Red Line Nexus gearing as opposed to Alfine). I am seriously contemplating this bike. A prior test ride left me feeling it was a little 'soft', but I pushed the bike a little more this time and it performed admirably. I would pick this over the Giant or Scott. I'm a little concerned that I can't easily flip in disc brakes, but suspect this might not be a big deal.

* Trek
** I tried a (too small) Soho. I was a little underwhelmed by the look initially - its a bit too city coffee commute for me - but I took it for a test drive and it handles really very, very nicely. The belt drive appears to make quite a difference. I can imagine in a better sized frame with fenders perhaps removed it would look and handle wonderfully. I'm going to look for a District tomorrow and a better sized frame

* Swobo
** I found a Crosby (single speed) at a local store and although the size was a little small I took it out anyway and it was a revelation. I was nervous about trying a drop bar single gear as I had never ridden anything like that before - but it felt absolutely fantastic. Very light - a good compromise gear and it actually worked well for most of the test ride I did. I tried to push my luck a bit by trying a hillier route towards end of run and clearly I am too out of shape for that - but, my commute doesn't have that gradient, and it is good incentive to build up strength again :-) This is my equal front runner with the Felt - they are both radically different rides from each other, and the Trek 7000ZX I currently have. Both are a lot of fun. The Swobo's brakes felt a little unpowered compared with others I'd tested (and my own bikes) but should be easy to flip in others quite easily.

* Mongoose
** My local Performance Bikes says the Sabroso Ocha is in their system but they have no stock. THey don't know when they might have stock - maybe month or two ?

* Misc
** I tried a Trek 7.3 - felt way too similar to my own Trek, and seems to have worse components
** Basically, after riding a single or a IGH bike, going back to the standard mtn gear trigger setup for city tests was painful
** Having said that, I preferred the trigger Alfine 8 gear switcher to the twist bar on the Felt Nexus
** Disc brakes made less difference than I'd expected to in today's conditions (dry)

So, tomorrow - I aim to try and see if I can find another belt bike or two - perhaps the Civia Hyland (to compare w/ Felt) and the Trek District (to compare w/ Swobo) and take it from there. I'd also like to try the Swobo Crosby again, and at least try and find a large Baxter and/or Dixon, as well as the elusive Raleigh.

As I feel right now, however - the Swobo Crosby and 2009 Felt X-City 2 are wonderful bikes

That's it for now.
g