Greetings! I'm a n00b and have a few questions about bikes.

I picked up a couple recommendations from this thread last week and wanted to get some input on the bikes I actually rode when I went to LBS. First off, I'll be riding this bike to work and back a couple days a week in the summer(4 miles each way) and throwing it in the back of my Jeep for camping and 4 wheeling trips. I live in CO so there are plenty of places to ride from mild to wild within 15 minutes(by car) of my driveway. I haven't done any kid of XC or trail riding since about '98 and that was on a POS depot store bike. I'd like to take advantage of what my locale offers while I'm still here so I'm looking for a new bike to help me along the way. </rambling>

So at the LBS last week, I rode a Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc($499). It felt pretty good and fit me well. I liked the fact that it had discs and the Specialized warranty is pretty *****in'. It was kinda tough to tell if the sales guy was blowing smoke up my arse because he kept directing my attention to a Raleigh M something but said good things about the Specialized bike.

Down the road at the other LBS, my buddy wanted to look at some Gary Fishers. He picked up the Marlin and my eye was caught by the Jamis Durango. I noticed the Durango felt a bit lighter than the Hardrock and immediately noticed Deore front and rear derailleurs and some other Deore componentry. I was able to ride the Jamis a bit longer than the Hardrock and got off into some ditches behind the LBS. I then hopped on the Marlin and was ruined because it was so light. The Marlin didn't have discs and I'm not even sure it's disc ready off the shelf. My friend had mentioned that he read up on the V-brakes on the GF Marlin and said they don't work too well if they get at all wet.

Basically, I'm looking for something that I can ride without having to dump money into the day after I buy it. I can understand things like a seat or pedals, but I don't want to be replacing drivetrain components after a couple of trail runs.

Right now, I'm leaning to the Jamis. It's got better components up front and is actually available a bit cheaper (~$470) than the Hardrock. However, the Specialised dealer offers lifetime tuneups each year where as the Jamis LBS only offers "checkups". Another issue is warranty. Is anyone familiar with the Jamis warranty? I know they have been around for a bit, but they don't have any of that information on their website.

If anybody has any input on my situation, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.