Yep, get a Bikesdirect bike with a flip/flop hub for $400 or so. The Soho is nice but you owe it to your wife to be frugal with your purchase as it is going to be just for you and it is a lot of money. Not to mention the depression that is coming....
I personally would never buy a new bike for that much money, I would rather go used as I am knowledgeable enough to find good deals plus, I think of bikes like I do cars....the value plummets the second you buy it.
I think that the Fantom Cross Uno is a good bike with versatility-----racks, fenders and it comes with brakes.
