That's an excellant price for the Specialized. Funny you should ask, but I rode the Expert 29r yeaturday at the local Specialized LBS (also just around the parking lot). It was priced at $989. and the Comp 29r was $829. The main difference I see in the two is the front derailer. The comp has an Altus and the Expert has a Deore. I'd be interested to know what kind of price your LBS has on the Expert. Also interested in the comments from others concerning these bikes as I'm also very close to pulling the trigger.