Thanks for your replies, Denise and Emily!

I would have responded earlier but for the fact that I've been mulling this over studiously.
I have been talking with a salesperson at Bike Friday about getting either a petite New World Tourist or a petite Pocket Crusoe. He's pushing the Pocket Crusoe, but given that it's more expensive I'm hesitant. The main difference as far as I can understand seems to be that the Crusoe is marketed as being more "rugged". Is that perception right, and does this translate to better off-road handling? Or...? Would there really be that great a difference in performance between the two?

Looking at the New World Tourist, he sent me a design for a NWT Capreo 27, which is towards the high end of the price spectrum. If I went to a less expensive model (say, the NWT 24 or 27) do you think I'd still be getting the kind of bike I need? I'm reluctant to get all top-end components just for the heck of it, but if they will really make the difference I'd bite the bullet (understanding, of course, that the components make the bike...). I liked your comments on derailleurs and shifters, and would probably invest in some upgrades or swaps in any case. Trying to be reasonable on a student budget!

I'd love your objective opinions on this so as to feel a bit more informed when I make the decision. Thanks!