Hi Cav3man9

I'm not a pro but own a DS 8.3. I do a lot of pavement riding, but there's also a lot of packed dirt trails where I live. I ride the trails for fun and my bike has held up remarkably well for all the hell I've put it through. I tend to ride fast too, so having the extra stopping power of the disc breaks has been handy.

I'm not sure about the weight issue. I called my Trek store and they said a DS should take up to 275. I'd recommend you buy the bike you want and do some light paved road riding for a month or so. Trek has a free 30-day tune-up program. After they do the tune-up they can tell you if you need other wheels. You can always buy them later. Might want to factor that into your budget. The good news is that after three months of riding I lost fifteen pounds, so if you're a steady rider it might not be a factor

I understand about the money. This was a significant investment for me. The DS bikes are very well built and feel damn near bomb-proof. If you're not going to do much gonzo dirt trail riding you might consider an 8.1 or 8.2. I probably could have gotten away with the v-brakes, but I don't regret the discs because I push my bike beyond what's recommended. If you're going to do slow and easy dirt road riding, then v-brakes should be fine even in rain. Arizona riding is probably different from Canada riding. No snow here, at least...

Don't forget about accessories. You'll want a different saddle because the one that comes with the bike is too hard. It's a common complaint -- not just me. And you'll definitely want ergo-grips, and an expensive, high quality lock. Thieves will want this bike! I also bought a computer, light, blinky reflector, water bottle, a good air pump, and shorts. I probably added another $400 to my bike, but that's just me. It might be another reason to go with a cheaper model and spend the rest of the $750 on stuff.

Anyway, I've been extremely happy with my bike and I'm sure you'll be happy with a DS too.