How are you boys on the Crosstrails doing? I purchased an Elite Disk a few months ago.
I changed the saddle to a Brooks (leather - cant beat them imo). Also had changed the tyres recently as had 2 punctures in a many weeks on those it came with.
The choice of bike for me came down pretty much to purely to one of size. I'm 6'3" and in the £600ish price bracket, no other hybrid came close for a tall person...
Also have my trusty Carradice panniers on the rear. I see so many cyclists with backpacks and wince every time!