Consider warranty and your LBS for service, that is what made my mind up. I looked at Giant, Canondale and Specialized but I finally came back to a LBS that had served me every time I needed something and bought my Fuel EX-8. BTW they also loaned me a Fuel EX-7 for a weekend and I really liked it so I got the EX8 on sale. Buy what will make you happy and not want something else in 2-3 months-Good luck.