I can only say that our Treks have so far performed well, though they aren't Navigators. My brother in Texas recently purchased a Navigator 400 and has been quite pleased.

Trek in general has a very good rep here in Portland, or so I assume since nearly every bike I see on the road here is a Trek.

Perhaps more important than what brand you decide upon is where you purchase it. Our bike shop (www.bikegallery.com for those curious) took the time to explain relative merits of different styles and made sure the bikes fit us correctly. I suppose you'll get a great bike in any bike shop, but if that great machine is not your size you'll quickly feel uncomfortable riding it...and so won't. I wonder just how many people have been turned off of cycling specifically for that reason.

-Rob