Here's the deal. Getting a bike, basically only for school/city use, as well as the occasional "trail" (glorified dirt roads with occasional small bumps, not a real trail by any means.) Mainly all city use. I'm looking to get out for around 300, with 350 to 400 being an absolute MAXIMUM. I am completely on my own and working my way through college, this is a BIG investment for me and i just don't have the income to support a higher end bike.

My question is, i've been looking seriously at the Trek 3700 for around 310, the Giant boulder SE and Rincon for around 300 and 350, and today i saw a Raleigh 4.0 mojave on their website but could not find a price as they do not list, estimate is between 200 and 400 though. I'm leaning most towards the giant Boulder SE. What are the benefits i would see from one of the other three bikes, and personally, which brand do you pros trust most? :-)