Well I actually plan on buying a mtn. bike for commuting as my road bike is far too harsh on the roads/paths/trails I ride in. As for the price on your bike, if it's a 2008 it seems to be about msrp which is all the better my bike shop would do either. Finally hardtail means it has no rear suspension, otherwise if it were a full suspension it would also have a shock/spring on the rear end of your bike.