Is it an '08 or an '09 Portland. I noticed that they dropped the specs on the '09 and left the price the same. The brakes are not bb7's anymore.

Disc brakes take a while to seat. They are soft at first and then the feel gets better and better as they wear in. Mine are great and feel the same in wet and dry.

For the rest of the bike. I love mine. Smooth and comfortable for my 29 mi RT. AND, stiff enough that I can hang with the 'roadies' that I may see along the way. As with any new bike; I adjusted and re-adjusted for a month before I got the fit just right, but, I love this bike. I could not be happier with it as a year round commuter.

The day I picked it up, I bought full SKS P35 fenders and fitted it with Tubus Vega rack. I can't feel the load in my panniers, ever. Its just like the rack was built with the frame.

When I was looking I could not find an LBS in 50Mi with one in stock. I took the leap and ordered one and bought it sight-unseen. I would do it again in a heartbeat.