Thank you for all your responses. I looked at several of the bikes you have spoken of and found out about even more LBSs in my area which allow me to look, test, and check out each of the mentioned bikes. I guess first thing is getting a look at the bikes and getting a test ride for each of them... I hope they don't mind me riding all their bikes and then going to another LBS just to ride their selection.... I guess I will use the test rides to determine what I will end up buying.
Thanks again