Well I ended up getting the Specialized Crosstrail Pro!

I was looking to get the base model (Expert) because it was more in my price range, but the LBS I had been dealing with all along (River City Bicycles, Portland, who are totally awesome) did not have any 21" Experts in stock. The only place that had it in stock really turned me off with their attitude, so I decided not to purchase through them. Instead, I sprung for the Crosstrail Pro at River City and I feel much better paying the extra $$$ there than I would have paying less for the Expert at the a-hole bike shop.

Aside from the greater level of service, knowledge, and attitude at River City, they even offered me 10% off the Crosstrail Pro (seeing as how the Expert, which I really wanted, was completely OOS) making the bike at River City a MUCH better deal IMO.

Crosstrail Expert @ a-hole bike shop: $725
Crosstrail Pro @ River City: $990 (10% off $1100 - oh, and I was wrong about it being $1000 in earlier posts)

Difference in price = $265

• Much better components (see posts above)
• Much better bike shop ====>>> much better piece of mind knowing they'll take care of me in the future

Plus, by ordering from River City, we got a better deal on my girlfriend's bike (Specialized Globe Sport) by almost $20!

Here are some pics of my Specialized Crosstrail Pro: