2 part handlebar??? If you do get that one, be sure to get a proper handlebar and have local shop move all of the hardware etc from the old one to the new one. Just my 2 cent.
I still feel poking around on craigslist and checking out bike shops will land you a better deal on something that you can add to and not worry about whatever you're adding being money away from a better bike in the future.
As for 75% of bikes being from xmarts, don't forget there are large sporting goods stores that do actually have non-BSO offerings in the low to medium range, with a few high end models shuffled in there. At Dick's sporting goods i came across several good deals on clearance & scratch/dent items.
Thats the other option, is call around & ask about canceled orders, returns, scratch/dent inventory. You may be surprised at what you find. Again, this is what i did & look what i ended up with....
- Andy