I am still leaning toward the Kona Jake. However, i did send a copy of my post to bikesdirect, the other bike vendors do not seem to have an email address for pre-purchase questions. They, bikes direct, responded with this:However, that bike still has the 2300 shifters. As far as free tune-ups and such, I never got that on any of the bikes I purchased in a LBS; so, I do not see that as a big selling point. As it stands, i am looking at the Fantom Cross (or cross cx), the Kona Jake (most likely), the Giant Defy 3, and this BD bike http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...per_strada.htm looks moderatly interesting. I am mostly familiar with the Shimano groups; but, from what I am reading, the SRAM Apex looks OK. Where does it place in comparison to the Shimano line?