Originally Posted by
daihard
I would add the Marin Fairfax. I'm not sure about their low-end models, but SC3 ($699?) and above have disc brakes. With your budget, I would personally consider the Fairfax SC5.
Ride Bycycles at Roosevelt and Ravenna carries Marin. I test rode an SC3 there a few months ago. It's a small shop but has very friendly and helpful staffers. I ended up not buying it, but I'd still highly recommend the shop (and the Marin bikes).
Good recommendation - I test road a couple other Marin bikes including the Fairfax but couldn't remember exactly which ones had disks. I actually really like the Fairfax as well, but ultimately I decided I wanted drop bars. I also really like Marin Bikes, we have two (both mountain) in our household