been riding crap cruiser/MTB all my life. Now looking for a "real" bike to commute to work. It is a somewhat hilly 3 mile ride on pavement/concrete. If possible, I would also like to do some light trail.

I really really like the Specialized Sirrus (by looking at pictures online). However, the LBS doesn't have it and wants a 150$ deposit to order one to let me test ride it. He said I can use the deposit for other things if it doesn't work out, but the other bikes in the shop are either bikes I don't want or something way beyond my range. So I am wary of tying down so much money just to try it out.

Cafe Latte Disc from BD (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tte_x_disc.htm) seems like a very nice alternative with the same price. Obviously cannot test ride that, so can any owner tell me how it worked out for them? Dealing with BD, tweaking the bike, is it worth it for a noob like me....

or, maybe I just need to hit walmart and get a do whatever MTB again. so much time looking for the right thing.

I am 140lb and 5'7"ish and have some basic experience and tools from assembling internet bought Schwinn prelude. That was a disaster: went through the assembling/disassembling process twice and rear tire blew out both times when I was NOT RIDING.

Thanks in advance.