Since my Giant is having issues I concluded I need a 2nd bike so I can keep rolling when one bike is down. Ended up getting a Trek since the vendor down the street from work was having a sale. The two choices that fit what I wanted - adjustable stem height and handlebar angle, Rapid Fire shifters, quick-release wheels - were a Verve 2 & 3. I went with the 2. They both felt identical as far as the ride - the 3 has some upgraded components.

Component comparison below - do you see the component set between them to be night and day different? With a 5 - 10 minute test ride, the functionality of the shifting felt the same - all brand-new components of course. 24 speeds seems like plenty, the extra 3 on the Verve 3 didn't seem like a big deal. Maybe with more riding it would be more noticeable. I've never had a bike with tubeless tires which the 3 can accommodate, the benefit of this wasn't obvious to me.

Neither have front suspension forks - the Verve model used to but they discontinued it. From what the bike shop guy said it was deemed by Trek to not be of enough benefit to justify the added weight. After a couple of hours of riding around it seems fine without it.

It seemed a bit cheesy that the advertised prices - $499 for the 2, $599 for the 3 doesn't include a kickstand even though the bikes are displayed with one installed. $20 extra for the stand. ~shrug~ When I got my Giant it wasn't even an issue, it came with a kickstand.

Hub
2 Formula FM21 front & rear
3 Formula FM21 front, FM32 rear

Rims
2 Bontrager AT-750 double-walled
3 Bontrager Tubeless Ready

Tires
2 Bontrager H5, 700x45c
3 Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate, 700x45c

Shifter
2 Shimano EF500, 8 speed
3 Shimano EF65, 9 speed

Front derailleur
2 Shimano Tourney TY71
3 Shimano Acera

Rear derailleur
2 Shimano Altus M310
3 Shimano Alivio T4000

Crank
2 Forged alloy, 48/38/28
3 FSA Dyna Drive, 48/36/26

Cassette
2 Shimano HG31, 11-32, 8 speed
3 Shimano HG20, 11-32, 9 speed