The 2009 520 is a totally different design. Now sloping top tube. Looks sweet tho. I'd not write off the portland though, I have a 4300 Disc MTB and I love the discs on it. They took some tweaking to get right, but once they were they rock. I suspect a lame tech in your case. . The Portland is still on my short list. I wanted a Poprad disc (Lemond) but alas, I waited too long.

-R