sk0tt, your issues was with touch up paint and it veering to the left? Veering to the left is a cable housing thing and touch up paint can be had at a hobby shop or at a hardware store, or automotive supply store.

geeoff, if you are going to be doing mostly roadrides with it, there is no need for a full suspension bike. Among your choices, I'd go with the Talon just for the better all around parts spec.