I have not yet made my purchase, but I have decided on the Trek 7.5 with disc. It has not the lightest bike in the stable, but the frame has a road like geometry. If I don't like flat bars, I'll replace them with drop bars. This will be my wet weather (CA winters) bike. I also have a road bike.

This Giant Cross City 2 looks the most like a road bike to me. The Avanti has 37mm tires. Can you describe your off road riding expectations? What kind of trails? Fire trails? MTB trails? I specifically did NOT want any suspension, lockable or otherwise.