MJ,
I’d say before you drop however much on a Trek. Look at Bikesdirect.com. The Motobecane bikes are a great buy and have great reviews. I just bought my road bike from them. I own a Trek Cobia (which I enjoy very much). I just wish I’d have known at the time that i could get much more bike for the amount of money i spent. For the $1000 I spent i could have got a very good full suspension bike with better components then came on my Cobia. Give em a look….