I would add, and maybe it is for somebody else rather than the OP as he may have figured the following into his purchasing process.
What do you want a bike to do for you? Why are you purchasing it? Where will you ride? What kind of surfaces? How long?
Too often these and other questions are not asked by a LBS and we forget to in our passion to purchase. But by asking some basic questions and reflecting upon the answers a purchaser will be led to the proper class of bike to begin a brand and model selection.