Seeking input before pulling the trigger
 

As much as I'd like to get something with a belt-driven IGH, all of those models are out of my budget. But I know that I want something more. I've also come to the conclusion that I should stick to those brands that are readily available through the local shops. So here is my list of potentials:

-Kona Dew Plus. This one is through the last shop I bought a bike from. Nice enough chaps, with two locations.
-Trek PDX. Cheaper than its 7.3 and 7.5 FX brethren. This shop just moved into the downtown core, so it is ideally located along my commute route.
-Marin Muirwoods 29er. The shop that sells this is the furthest away from both work and home, but I think this may be the best value...
-Felt Verza CityThis can be had through the same shop as the Kona, but is also at the ceiling of my budget.
-Redline Metro Disc. This is the dark horse of the bunch, as it would be more of a special order, but it also looks to be the swiftest of the bunch as well. I also don't know the price, so it might not even be in the budget, but it sure looks sweet!
-Redline Metro 9. No discs, but I now feel that this one warrants some consideration.

I am currently doing the bike and bus thing. Might one day start phasing out the bus. And I currently ride mostly on paved MUPs. I, strictly speaking, don't need the discs- I just want 'em.

ETA: the last model.

i would go with the Trek PDX or the Kona Dew Plus, although what I would really do is go with the frame I like the best and ask my LBS to set it up with exactly the components I want. That may take a little more money but ultimately it will make you happier to have exactly what you want and not need to upgrade anything on the bike. you already have a bike, why not save up a little more until you can afford your heart's desire?

I'm impressed by the value one can get these days. The geometry varies enough that riding them is the only suggestion I can give for determining which one to pick. Make sure the tire pressures are correct and not over/under inflated when you test ride them.

get the discs if you're going year round were it rains and snows

Added another model to the OP. No discs, as I'm am unsure if I will truly be riding in the snow.

All I have experience with is the Felt. I have a 2009 Felt X City D, and it is just great. They now have the Verza City instead, but the frame looks to be the same from the pictures. If this is the same frame, it's a nice one. Very comfortable, but not too 'relaxed' feeling. I have 37s on mine, with fenders. I don't know anything about the components, since they are completely different from my bike, but if it's the same frame as my X City, I like it a lot.

For the price, though, I've always thought the PDX was very nice.

I'd get either the Redline 9 or the Marin because I'm a steel is real kind of guy. Though I've been know to ride titanium and carbon forks lately.

To be honest, those two are my top contenders. It will boil down to the test ride. Only thing is, the Marin is available through the local Sun & Ski, which is waaay out of my normal travel corridors. All of the other models can be had through a couple of different shops that both have 2 locations each. The LBS that has the Trek and Redline is like a 10 minute ride (if that) on a mix of street and MUP from the LBS that has the Kona and Felt. So all but the Marin could be test ridden back to back along a route that I know and very closely simulates my everyday commute.

I have a Trek 7.2FX. Never regret going with a Trek.

Which one are you more comfortable on or fits the best? Which bike is more fun to ride? Which bike could you get the most utility from? Which bike has the prettier colors?

I have been sorta considering getting a bike with disc brakes and it seems like from reviews alot of people end up wanting to replace the stock brakes of some of the cheaper bikes with BB7s or something better. I would read reviews of the bikes and maybe even just read reviews of the specific disc brakes on the bikes. Just something to keep in mind if you go that route since disc brakes are not a cheap upgrade.

Of all the bikes I like the look of the Felt becasue it comes ready as a commuter and the Trek PDX just looks cool, but its probably just the bars and position of them.

Well, one of the shops in town can get me a Redline. I inquired about the availability of both the Metro 9 and the Metro Disc. The Metro Disc doesn't come out until March 2011 and is priced at $950. The Metro 9 can be had now for $600.

The LBS considers both "special orders", so that would mean 50% up front before they will order. I'm really leaning towards the Metro 9 since it is a K.I.S.S.-type of bike. But if I don't like it, they don't want it back. Either I will be stuck with it or their source may take it back for a re-stocking fee. Taking a pre-purchase test ride is going to be difficult...

The fact that the Kona has hydraulic brakes would give it a big leg up in my book.

I happen to have a Muirwoods 29er, so I can tell you a lot about that. The stock version was quite heavy (about 30 pounds). I don't know how that compares to the other bikes you're looking at. The Alivio stuff shifts surprisingly well. The stock brakes aren't especially good. Mine came with Avid BB5. A friend of mine got a 2009 which came with the Hayes. Neither one of us liked the brakes. We both upgraded to Avid BB7's and have been very happy with that decision. The stock handlebars are absurdly wide and quite heavy. That's a cheap place to lose weight. The stock brake levers are uninspiring -- another thing that can be fixed quite cheaply. It will fit 29x2.0 tires with fenders, but just barely.

I've had a lot of fun tinkering with my Muirwoods. It's a fairly versatile bike. You can see a bit of the history of mine here. Every summer (when the rains stop) I consider getting rid of it. Every fall (when the rain start again) I'm glad I didn't. I've put about 4000 miles on it in two and a half years, and it's stood up to a lot of abuse.

Yeah, I've followed most of the postings concerning your Muirwoods 29er. It made my list primarily because the LBS clerk tried his best to convince me that the frame was versatile- rack mounts front and rear, could take fenders, suggested it could be pressed into service as a tourer and I vaguely recall him pointing out the bottom bracket was high enough to permit CX racing if I was so inclined. Of course the fact that it's made of steel is a plus.

But as to the weight factor- I'm currently doing the bike and bus thing. I have to lift my bike onto the rack almost daily. I've discovered that some of those racks are mounted higher than others. And I transport my bike by placing into the back of the Suburban. All of which I'm more than capable of doing, but after that one day that I had to walk my bike around until after work (front flat and FUBAR pump) makes me think that a lighter bike sure would be nice.