I can't speak to the Specialized, but I can say that I've really enjoyed commuting on my Trek 7.2FX. I've got a short commute of only 2 miles, but there've been many times I've cruised past the house on my way to a 10 mile "commute" home. Always comfortable and pretty stable even with an overstuffed backpack in a basket on the rear rack. I've also taken it on a very rough rails-to-trails path and it's very solid on that, and a 30-mile road ride. My only wish has been that I'd bought cycling shorts before the 30-miler. I have learned that lesson!