I test rode the SLR 2 today and liked it. The things i didn't like and I hope you can advise me are:
- Shimano shifters don't work when hitting the brake since one needs the index finger to shift to smaller sprocket. Google tells me this is a Shimano problem for all their shifters (My current bike has SRAM)
- it has a non-car air valve. i really don't want to have some adapter to get air from a compressor. I doubt they saved any money. I could buy a new tube with a Schrader valve and drill a larger hole, but don't want to buy an expensive new bike and buy new things for it.
- I couldn't find good information on the M315 brakes except they cost $16 (the SLR 1 brakes cost over $100). Not a good sign. I never had hydraulic brakes before, so my little testride didn't tell me much except they didn't work worse than the rim brakes on the Escape 1.

I haven't ridden it yet, but also like the SLR 1. Has much better hardware (and SRAM shifters!). Drawback is the price and that the front sprocket only has 42 teeth (44 for the SLR 1). On my SLR 2 test ride i was able to get into 27th (fastest) gear quickly, so I wouldn't want less. It also seems there are no cranks for 10-speed with more teeth (as an option in case it annoys me later).

I also rode the Escape 1 today, but that is heavier and the skinny tires don't ride well and likley damage the rim on bad streets. I don't go off-road beyond some unpaved trails, so the toughroad is a good bike in general.
Any advice or alleviation of my concerns is appreciated.