I wouldn't be using the mtb for commuting, I would be using the Trek for commuting. I wanted the wider tires of a mtb for trail riding and those rare bad weather days. Yes, I understand that knobby tires give less grip surface compared to a slick tire, but the wider tire width itself would give more road stability. I can't put anything wider on the Trek than a 32 the way it's configured.

As for a mtb slowing me down on the road...when I do use it on the road... I'm already slow. Speed is not my goal. I wouldn't mind a little road mushiness in return for a more stable ride at those times when I need it. Even the Trek with 700X32 tires with very sturdy diagonal tread that I already switched out for the original 700X28 tires, the 32's are still slippy on sandy/leafy areas of the road.

"...a hardtail is more maneuverable because it is are both lighter and more responsive to body english."

I'm sure that is true for someone in their prime with fast reactions and athletic ability. It's less true for my reaction time and abilities. Though they have improved, they've also leveled off and I find, under less than ideal circumstances, that I get in more trouble with a road bike because it IS so responsive and fast.

A decade ago I had a $100 Walmart mountain bike that was very stable under those kind of road conditions. Of course it weighed 4000 lbs and disintegrated into a pile of rust within 6 months even though stored inside and never ridden in the rain. Poor thing was stolen off my car bike rack outside the lab before we had a locked parking lot in a not so great part of town. At least it didn't have to face the fate of the Trek replacement that went up in smoke in the house fire.

I want the full suspension for comfort, plain old comfort.

As for theft potential. Shrug. I'm as careful as I can be now. I refuse to become one of the many "seniors" who locks themselves in their houses, nails the windows shut, who takes their expensive jewelry out to play with inside their house though they'd never wear it outside. They rot in their vacuuous, silent, musty, boring safety behind triple-locked doors. If the bike gets stolen, it gets stolen.

If someone tried to steal Magdalene out from under my eyes, they'd have to come through me first. (I once took on six drunken hunters with a tire iron who were amusing themselves with hanging a hunting dog puppy....and I won. Arlo, the puppy, came home with me). But a bike? An inanimate object? As much as I love my Trek, I wouldn't risk harm defending it. Besides, I live in what some call a fantasy world of believing that people are generally good and wish no harm to me or my property. I believe Anne Frank said much the same thing.

I'd rather be out on the road on a bike that is just right for me and take my chances with what others call the felonious nature of my fellow man.

Thanks, I'll check out the Specialized since you like it so much. It has been suggested by others who also love it very much. And we have local dealer.