I really like the style and feel and price of the Sirrus base model, what other bikes should I be looking at in the same $ range (500 - 600 cdn). I know there are a lot of Trek fans here, but the Sirrus crowd is growing with the 2009 model.
And I'm also new to the board

Fuji Absolute 2.0 for ~400-500 US dollars. Has much better components than the Specialized.

Fuji Absolute 1.0 - $600 - $700? Has the same exact components as the Trek 7.7 FX which costs $1600. Shimano 105 equivalent components for a flat road bike.

Fuji makes nice bikes and they have a very rich history.

I recently bought a 2008 Sirrus (base). I really like it, although the specs are different for 2009. I really liked the Fuji Absolute 2.0 - much nicer than the [edit] Absolute 3.0 [/edit]. I like the look and price of the Diamondback Insight 2.0 - some doode is selling them for $420 (no shipping) - gotta search for it.

Felt Speed 50
Cannondale Quick 4 or 5
Trek 7.3 FX
Gary Fisher Wingra or Monona
Kona Dew or Dew Deluxe

Here's many in your price range or a bit above:

Fuji Absolute 2.0 - Weight, lb./kg. 24.91/11.29 S.O. & 24.83/11.26 S.T.
KHS Flight 250 (2008)
Jamis Coda
Iron Horse Transit 3.0 - carbon fork - 23.5lbs per Amazon
Scott speedster s60 flat bar - 22.9 lbs per Scott
Novara eXpress Bike - 2009 - carbon fork
Giant CRX (pre-2009)
Giant FSR 2009
Giant Seek
Giant Rapid 3.0 (2009)
GT Legalo - (none in 2009)
Schwinn Sporterra Comp (2010)
Schwinn Super Sport GS, Ultra 1, Ultra 2 (2008, 2009)
Trek Pilot 1.2, 5.2 (2006)
Trek FX (7.5 FX starts the carbon fiber fork)
Raleigh Cadent FT2 2008 - carbon fork - $630 REI
Marin Fairfax Bike - 2009 - carbon fork
Marin Mill Valley Bike - 2009 - same as Fairfax but lighter/better?
Motobecane Cafe Sprint
Specialized Sirrus
Ibex Corrida
Bianchi Iseo
Bianchi Torreno
Rocky Mountain RC30, 2008
Felt X-City 2, 2009 (25.1lbs, $900)
Diamondback Insight 2 or 3

more:
https://www.thebikedr.com/Commuter-Bikes/
https://bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

I really like my 2009 Sirrus base model. Was $480 before tax. Yea, the components are not the best, but I loved the ride. I have already upgraded my front derailleur to a Tiagra, so that I could fit fenders. This winter may bring a new rear derailleur, and maybe an 11-28 cassette and SRAM chain. Might look into some integrated shifter/brake lever to free up handlebar room for barends. Or might just get Ergon grips, which would cost less...

But, at the end of the day, I LOVE the way the bike rides. It handles like a road bike, yet rides like a comfort bike (very nice positioning), all while stopping and climbing hills like a mountain bike. Perfect, for me.

The Jamis Coda line looks VERY nice, I was looking for one but only found an Elite in my size, and I just couldnt pony up another $600!

The msrp for the fuji's are about twice what people are trying to make you believe here. The prices I see are not that much better than The sirrus or FX line.

GO test ride some bikes, because that is how you are really going to find what you want!

I love my base model '07 Sirrus. A couple of caveats that have been observed. After '08 Specialized quietly changed front derailleurs which causes a minor complication with rear fender mounting. Solution is to either trim the fender or replace the front derailleur.

I ride a 2007 Coda Elite and could not be happier. The base Coda's are also very nice bikes and great value.

I have always maintained that you should ride many, and buy the one you liked the most......

If you have already ridden many - you have already made your decision..... LOL

I've ridden the Specialized Sirrus, the Opus Fidelio, and a Diamonback one that I can't remember the model of. In my area there are a few choices, Walmart, Canadian Tire, or the specialty shops, which don't carry Trek, one of them in fact is Specialized only, though they have a few Giants. The bike shop that pretty much carries Specialized is the preffered place for me to buy it, the first reason is that they have a discount for those participating in charity bike rides and they also offer free annual tuneups for people who buy their bikes.

Out of what's available in your area, if you like the Sirrus best, go with it. Can't really go too wrong with it. If you can convince the LBS to put a high-clamp derailleur on it, it'll be even better (such as a Tiagra).

You know how a Trek 7.2 FX has an MSRP for $519 but the LBS can sell it to you for $460? Same thing with Fuji but Fuji allows for much lower price cuts and closeout deals than Trek or Specialized will allow. So you are right that the MSRP for Fuji Absolute 2.0 is ~$800 but the LBS will be able to sell it for $500 or less. I know this firsthand because my LBS offered to order me a Fuji Absolute 2.0 for $460 - and he called that a "not the best deal". Right now as we speak, Performance Bicycle (not the place where I got my Absolute) is offering the Cyclocross Comp 2009 for $900 (last week one could get it for $750) when the MSRP is $1500 and the bike has Shimano 105 shifters, FD, and Ultegra RD! Trek's equivalent for $800 actual price is the 1.5 which has Tiagara shifters & derailleurs. Fuji always offers much better components then its competitors (and that's how they have an edge when the brand names of Trek & Specialized are touted most).

The Deore shifters & derailleurs of the Absolute are vastly superior to the Sora components of the Sirrus. Shifts so much faster & smoothly. If you are a rider with a constant, decent cadence on flats you may not notice as much of a difference as I do when I pedal slowly going up big hills.

All of these bikes are made in the same 3-4 Taiwan factories. They all have Shimano components. These are all pretty much clones. Having said all, try out the bikes and see which geometry / sizing works for you best. Some people fit better with certain brands. For example, I have heard that Fuji road bikes have a geometry that favors the long legged and short torso people. Stuff like that. That example does not apply to the Fuji hybrid bikes in question but it was to illustrate the variety amongst different manufacturers. I also believe that the Trek & Sirrus look nicer with their bright colors and this counts for something.

The Absolute 2.0, Trek 7.2 FX, and Specialized Sirrus can all be had for <$500. I'm someone who goes for value so I have the Fuji. Frankly, I also think Fuji is a prestigious brand. They've been around since 1899 and have a long history as trendsetters from Japan. Trek is enjoying its 8+ TDF wins in the past decade.

Also have a look at the Kona Dew range - Dew, Dew Plus, Dew Deluxe and up. The 2009 models are getting heavily discounted and they're not much different to the 2010s.

Bikes may be all made in the same few factories, but believe me, they are made to much different specs. A fuji might fit someone, but a specialized might fit another. Then someone might come along that prefers the way a Trek fits. There is a lot more to it than components sometimes. Heck you can build a bike yourself for less than buying one, with much nicer components. But then, you may not have as nice of frame. My mountain bike (hardtail) is full LX, I have around $800 into the current set up, a LOT cheaper than a full lx brand name. Frame and fork were used, everything else was brand new.

If you like the sirrus and it comes from a dealer you prefer, buy it. Its your money, buy what YOU like, not what someone else likes!

Oh, and the Tiagra FD-4503 is a perfect replacement front derailleur for the Sirrus, IF you want to mount full fenders.

Once the bike is purchased by the dealer Trek or Specialized have absolutely no control (allow) over what price the bike is sold for.

Thanks - I was not aware of that fact. My LBS generally offers Fujis at much larger cuts then they do with Trek. I'm sure a big part of this is because Trek FX line is so popular and high in demand. If you don't pay the asking price - someone else will. I generally ask my LBS for the best price / close out deal and accept that.

Actually, that's not quite true. A lot of manufacturers have limits of how much discount can be offered -- especially on new stock. As a vendor, if you go below those prices you may jeopardize your future orders or in some cases, not be able to order new product at all. Welcome to the retail world.