Yes, I would look at the Jamis Aurora. I falied to say that I think this guy wanted to steer me to comfort bikes. I definitely felt that he put me in a pigeon hole and didn't listen to what I thought I needed.

I looked at the cyclocross bikes at some point, not sure that is what I really want and now I can't remember why. When I said off road, I didn't mean mountain biking but sometimes I come up on gravel paths that I don't like to take skinny tires on. And the occasional muddy patches and suchlike. I hold my breath taking my roadie through some of that.

My budget is around $2000 including the stuff I want to outfit a bike with.

Phredette