been riding crap cruiser/MTB all my life. Now looking for a "real" bike to commute to work. It is a somewhat hilly 3 mile ride on pavement/concrete. If possible, I would also like to do some light trail.

I really really like the Specialized Sirrus (by looking at pictures online). However, the LBS doesn't have it and wants a 150$ deposit to order one to let me test ride it. He said I can use the deposit for other things if it doesn't work out, but the other bikes in the shop are either bikes I don't want or something way beyond my range. So I am wary of tying down so much money just to try it out.

Cafe Latte Disc from BD (https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tte_x_disc.htm) seems like a very nice alternative with the same price. Obviously cannot test ride that, so can any owner tell me how it worked out for them? Dealing with BD, tweaking the bike, is it worth it for a noob like me....

or, maybe I just need to hit walmart and get a do whatever MTB again. so much time looking for the right thing.

I am 140lb and 5'7"ish and have some basic experience and tools from assembling internet bought Schwinn prelude. That was a disaster: went through the assembling/disassembling process twice and rear tire blew out both times when I was NOT RIDING.

Thanks in advance.

I like the cafe express more, and they pretty much come already assembled from BD just have to bolt it together there is no real need for adjustments

ANY bike from Bikes Direct will be a lot better than any bike you get at wallyworld. The Cafe Latte without disk is $100 less. The Cafe Express looks decent too. It has fatter tires which might be better on non-pavement. It's also an 8 speed with an internal gear hub. That would make a nice city bike. I'm not sure if it has enough gears for your "hilly" ride. The Cafe Latte can probably be used on smooth roads that are unpaved, but I'm not sure what kind of road you consider "light trail".

The Sirrus looks better, in my opinion.
Your call.

trail is a mix of pavement and light gravel road.

yes i agree with the sirrus looks better. I was won over by that in the first place haha. However none of the local specialized shop carry it and they want me to pay just to test ride it. there is one that is 1hr20min away....just to far if I end up needing support. not that loyal to specialized yet..

what do you all think about this one?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/zilla.htm

I like it better that the others. Disc Brakes, fat tires friendly, mount for rear rack...

I purchased a Sirrus early last year and I totally love it. I also own bikes from BD and would recommend the Specializes way before the BD bicycle. I commute 25 miles a day on the Sirrus, so know this is not a casual recommendation.

Thanks to everyone! pulled the trigger on Moto fantom cx triple. liked the dual brake design a lot and want to try out drops at least once in my biking career.
whew, finally, no more staying up late researching comparing parts and processes.
now i am anxious to see how much tweak the bike will need...got my tools ready haha

A friend of mine got a Fantom CX last year and has been very happy with it. Take you time when putting it together and maybe take to the local bike shop to have it checked over.

yeah I will be sure to take it slow. What problems did you friend encounter? brakes, loose bolt, shifting, chain etc.

Cafe Latte has that awful adjustable handle bar stem which flexes like a wet noodle, and was one of the first things I replaced on my Cafe Noir. The Sirrus, looks like a more rigid bike all around, and is more similar to my Trek FX.