Originally Posted by eelozano
Handling:
I think the handling is ok for the 4100, but it could definately be better. On some of the sharper turns I feel like I'm falling and end up making them wider than I should (going into oncoming lanes). On busy roads I just slow down completely and make a minor turn to avoid an accident.
It sounds like you are oversteering the and/or not leaning enough. The front end of most MTBs such as the 4100 do generally have a much more lax steering than say a roadbike so moving to a roadbike-like geometry will fix that but not always. You also have to be confident in your riding abilities to turn by leaning as well as steering.
Originally Posted by eelozano
Energy: With the 4100 I feel like the tires are low on air all the time. This makes me feel like I'm wasting a lot of energy trying to get up hills (I live in a very hilly area). Unfortunately when I check my tires are never low on air and it just feels that way.
It does sound like you simply need a little more pressure in your tyres. You might consider swapping out your wider knobbies (if that's what you have) for thinner high-pressure slicks. This is a relatively cheap thing to do and doesn't require a new bike.
Originally Posted by eelozano
Gears: My gears feel like they are going to break everytime I use them. I don't know how to describe this. I feel like they can't handle my weight properly even though they are built for 'heavier duty'.
Do they make a bad sound or something? Is there a lot of clattering? Is there squeaking noises coming from the drivetrain? It could just be that your drivetrain has gone out of adjustment. You might want to take it to the shop and see what they have to say.
Originally Posted by eelozano
Hands: My wrists hurt all the time on this Mountain Bike...that is a big concern as it causes me to cut some of my trips short.
Your bars might be too low causing you to put too much of your weight onto your hands. Have you gotten fitted for the bike? That might help.
Originally Posted by eelozano
Misc: My derailler never seems to be in the right spot
See above about drivetrain out of adjustment.
Originally Posted by eelozano
I hope this is what you were looking for...if not feel free to ask me to elaborate or speak on something new.
I plan on purchasing the new bike in the fall (late August early Sept).
I think some of the things you listed can be attributed to improper bike adjustment and fit. Other things might be solved by simply changing/upgrading your existing components. I'm not necessarily trying to talk you out of buying a new bike but you might want to try a few cheap and easy things first to see if your current bike will work out. This will also give you a better idea of what to look for in another bike. Another thing you'll probably want to do is test ride several different categories of bikes to get a feel for what type of bike you'll most be happy with. Visit many shops and try different brands and types. Keep notes on what you liked or didn't like. You have given yourself plenty of time to gather information so don't rush yourself.