An LBS has a '04 Sirrus on sale for $800 (retail $950). There's a link to the bike below. It has no suspension with the exception of the Zert insert type of thing. I sometime ride on brick streets so that's a minor quibble. The brakes aren't anything to write home about, but probably sufficient. I took it for a ride....it's been a while since riding such a light bike. To tell you the truth, every bike that I've ever ridden in the last decade (over $350) has felt like a great bike to me!

The primary downside of this bike is: can't be converted for use as a ATB and the cheap looking brakes.

Frankly, I don't do any mountain biking, but I do like to ride the bike with a dog and we occasionally cross run along dirt areas and grassy fields. I may have to just get a second bike for that.

Does anyone have any opinions on this bike?
Here's the link:
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...0y2jggz.j27011