I've been posting over in the Hybrid forum because I'm in the market for a new bike. I'm a road bike rider primarily and looking for a commuter/all-arounder.

Now that warmer weather is coming, this year I have vowed to use my car as little as possible. So I will be commuting to work, running errands, grocery shopping and stuff like that with this new bike.

I'm still debating the front suspension or not (like a Trek DS), but came across the Giant Talon 3. It's basically a hybrid with a bit more travel in the fork and wider tire, but labeled as a mountain bike.

Does anyone commute on a mountain bike? If so, does it slow you down, or do you have to work harder to get where you're going? I'm thinking it would get a soft ride, be sturdy enough to handle anything, and versatile. My commute is 8 miles one way, some small hills, and paved. Although the roads are in bad shape. For running errands and stuff like that, I'm in a small town so everything is within a mile or two.