BHOFM - I'm only 5'7", but I have a 33.3" inseam. I have really long legs and a very short torso....which means on a lot of bikes the top post is too long and I feel like a tyrannasaurus trying to steer ;-) But at some point, costs start adding up...new rack that is super light, plus new tires, plus a new seat post.... I would hate to put a bunch of little outlays down then not have funds if it doesn't help. The roommate's Schwinn is a Sierra.

no1mad - actually, since you mentioned a redline, I looked up the local dealer and realized that the bike shop that use to be half a mile down the road is now across town, but within my 'local' traveling range. I've never seen anything but Trek at the LBS I use, though. The cheapest redline metro at the other shop is $1600 and is the 2010 recalled model. I did look at the dual sports, but everything they had size wise was 20 and higher. The guys said the top tube was probably 2" to long, so I was having a hard time controlling turns on a Utopia (a dual sport style but not the DS line.) The utopia had a lock out...but the guy said the trails I'm taking weren't what he'd suggest for that bike? They are beginner and sections of intermediate trails. Said that really much more than potholes and the occasional curb were beyond that bike, so trails with roots, whoop-de-doos and manholes wouldn't be good (which made me wonder 'what's the point of a lock out suspension?') I'd push to get a DS in the correct size built if I thought I could run it on weekends. I know my roommate's stating to look at MTBs (the bike disease is spreading in this house.)