So things have changed a lot since I first posted this. Come to find out that Kona has a bent frame at the rear! Couldn't figure out why the chain was skipping under load. Replaced the chain, cassette, derailleurs, and rear wheel and still had problems. Had my father in law (he worked at an LBS for years) check it out and we found out the derailleur hanger was weakened from being bent several times in the past plus the frame was bent slightly. So having fallen in love with bike commuting already and not wanting to skip a beat I bought a 2010 Specialized Rockhopper Comp at my LBS and love it! I have been riding every single day, even on the weekends. My father in law happened to have a 2000 vintage Specialized Hardrock frame at his place I bought off of him and we are swapping the Kona components over to that frame so my wife will have a bike plus a back up for me. Currently my Rockhopper is back at the LBS having the crankset warrantied out because it was screwed up. Can't wait to get it back! Had to drive in to work today.